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

Agricultural Inspectorss out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Agricultural Equipment Operatorss land at $42,580 and Agricultural Inspectorss at $50,990. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while agricultural inspector programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss is Montana ($53,900); for Agricultural Inspectorss it's Michigan ($72,300).

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Agricultural Inspectors
Median salary
$42,580
$50,990
Hourly rate
$20.47/hr
$24.51/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,240
$37,440
Senior level (90th %)
$57,790
$80,240
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
30,940
12,090
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Farming & Fishing
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Montana
Michigan

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Agricultural Inspectors
New York
$51,100
$71,710
Delaware
$50,450
$64,730
Ohio
$49,070
$65,750
Iowa
$48,690
$53,910
Minnesota
$48,390
$68,330
North Dakota
$47,640
$55,840
Illinois
$46,810
$54,720
New Jersey
$46,650
$59,510
Virginia
$45,740
$52,950
Michigan
$42,600
$72,300
Maryland
$41,440
$57,200
Washington
$39,980
$62,560
Oregon
$39,730
$53,090
Hawaii
$39,440
$60,900
Vermont
$36,610
$61,080

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Equipment Operatorss or Agricultural Inspectorss?

Agricultural Inspectorss earn more nationally. The median is $42,580 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss versus $50,990 for Agricultural Inspectorss, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

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 Equipment Operators or Agricultural Inspectors?

Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Agricultural Inspectors requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Agricultural Equipment Operatorss get paid the most?

Montana is the top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss at $53,900/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Agricultural Equipment Operatorss earn $51,100 vs. $71,710 for Agricultural Inspectorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Inspectors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Inspectorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →How to become a agricultural inspectorsGuide →