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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineerss out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by $92K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aerospace Engineerss land at $134,830 and Agricultural Equipment Operatorss at $42,580. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while agricultural equipment operator programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss is District of Columbia ($175,350); for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss it's Montana ($53,900).

Aerospace Engineers
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Median salary
$134,830
$42,580
Hourly rate
$64.82/hr
$20.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$85,350
$31,240
Senior level (90th %)
$205,850
$57,790
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
68,440
30,940
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Montana

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineers median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineers
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Iowa
$150,010
$48,690
Minnesota
$147,940
$48,390
Ohio
$134,230
$49,070
Maine
$133,660
$47,500
Virginia
$132,160
$45,740
New Jersey
$128,400
$46,650
Kansas
$126,640
$44,510
New York
$125,270
$51,100
Illinois
$122,540
$46,810
Kentucky
$117,660
$44,700
Michigan
$115,540
$42,600
Missouri
$112,220
$46,610
Indiana
$104,160
$48,930
Idaho
$81,570
$44,700
Wisconsin
$75,790
$47,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineerss or Agricultural Equipment Operatorss?

Aerospace Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $134,830 for Aerospace Engineerss versus $42,580 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss, a difference of $92K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Agricultural Equipment Operators requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss at $175,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineers vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Iowa, Aerospace Engineerss earn $150,010 vs. $48,690 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →