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Salary comparison

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

Agricultural Technicianss out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Agricultural Equipment Operatorss land at $42,580 and Agricultural Technicianss at $46,790. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while agricultural technician programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss is Montana ($53,900); for Agricultural Technicianss it's Arizona ($63,340).

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Agricultural Technicians
Median salary
$42,580
$46,790
Hourly rate
$20.47/hr
$22.49/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,240
$32,860
Senior level (90th %)
$57,790
$69,010
Education required
No formal educational credential
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
30,940
14,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Farming & Fishing
Science
Top-paying state
Montana
Arizona

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Agricultural Technicians
Montana
$53,900
$51,170
New York
$51,100
$46,890
Delaware
$50,450
$49,030
Minnesota
$48,390
$55,190
Maine
$47,500
$48,150
Kentucky
$44,700
$48,780
Utah
$42,060
$47,840
Maryland
$41,440
$47,890
North Carolina
$40,300
$48,910
California
$40,130
$58,330
Tennessee
$39,980
$51,170
Florida
$35,510
$49,280
Arizona
$34,270
$63,340
Mississippi
$30,570
$48,790
Texas
$29,930
$48,120

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Equipment Operatorss or Agricultural Technicianss?

Agricultural Technicianss earn more nationally. The median is $42,580 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss versus $46,790 for Agricultural Technicianss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

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 Technicians?

Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Agricultural Technicians requires bachelor's degree. 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 Technicians pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Montana, Agricultural Equipment Operatorss earn $53,900 vs. $51,170 for Agricultural Technicianss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Technicians salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Technicianss by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →How to become a agricultural techniciansGuide →