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Salary comparison

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

Agricultural Engineerss out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by $42K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Agricultural Engineerss land at $84,630 and Agricultural Equipment Operatorss at $42,580. The education gap is real: agricultural engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while agricultural equipment operator programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Engineerss is Ohio ($111,200); for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss it's Montana ($53,900).

Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Median salary
$84,630
$42,580
Hourly rate
$40.69/hr
$20.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$43,020
$31,240
Senior level (90th %)
$132,700
$57,790
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
1,680
30,940
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Ohio
Montana

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Ohio
$111,200
$49,070
Texas
$104,980
$29,930
Florida
$98,180
$35,510
Wisconsin
$94,310
$47,520
Michigan
$91,470
$42,600
Indiana
$84,640
$48,930
Oklahoma
$84,630
$34,340
Nebraska
$75,760
$45,690
Pennsylvania
$73,930
$41,660
Arkansas
$59,990
$30,380

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Engineerss or Agricultural Equipment Operatorss?

Agricultural Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $84,630 for Agricultural Engineerss versus $42,580 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss, a difference of $42K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

Agricultural 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 Agricultural Engineerss get paid the most?

Ohio is the top-paying state for Agricultural Engineerss at $111,200/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Agricultural Engineerss earn $111,200 vs. $49,070 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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