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Salary comparison

Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary: Who Earns More?

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operators by $57K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Equipment Operators land at $41,730 and Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary at $98,700. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operators is Montana ($58,770); for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary it's Michigan ($136,130).

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Median salary
$41,730
$98,700
Hourly rate
$20.06/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,500
$50,870
Senior level (90th %)
$58,650
$163,150
Education required
No formal educational credential
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
28,500
8,920
Job growth (10-year)
7.7%
4.1%
Category
Farming & Fishing
Education
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 Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Delaware
$49,910
$126,770
North Dakota
$48,080
$108,130
Virginia
$47,890
$105,330
Illinois
$46,050
$105,440
Kansas
$45,570
$112,480
Michigan
$42,380
$136,130
New Jersey
$41,660
$131,380
Maryland
$39,580
$129,920
North Carolina
$39,580
$102,560
Idaho
$38,920
$105,690
California
$38,820
$109,930
Tennessee
$37,750
$128,270
New Mexico
$35,580
$108,290
Georgia
$35,410
$104,330
Texas
$34,260
$105,370

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary?

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn more nationally. The median is $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators versus $98,700 for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, a difference of $57K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary?

Agricultural Equipment Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 7.7% projected growth, compared to 4.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary?

Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Agricultural Equipment Operators get paid the most?

Montana is the top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operators at $58,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Delaware, Agricultural Equipment Operators earn $49,910 vs. $126,770 for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →How to become a agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondaryGuide →