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Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Agricultural Equipment Operators out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendants by $10K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Equipment Operators land at $41,730 and Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $32,150. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operators is Montana ($58,770); for Amusement and Recreation Attendants it's Alaska ($45,680).

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$41,730
$32,150
Hourly rate
$20.06/hr
$15.46/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,500
$22,350
Senior level (90th %)
$58,650
$42,490
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
28,500
397,830
Job growth (10-year)
7.7%
3.4%
Category
Farming & Fishing
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Montana
Alaska

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
New York
$50,020
$36,300
Delaware
$49,910
$31,200
Massachusetts
$49,150
$34,440
Minnesota
$48,520
$30,830
Virginia
$47,890
$30,910
Maine
$46,490
$35,330
Illinois
$46,050
$32,770
Oregon
$44,150
$35,400
New Jersey
$41,660
$34,500
Maryland
$39,580
$36,710
California
$38,820
$37,000
Washington
$38,470
$37,790
Colorado
$37,290
$35,770
Florida
$36,660
$30,670
Arizona
$36,600
$33,570

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Agricultural Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators versus $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants, a difference of $10K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Agricultural Equipment Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 7.7% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Amusement and Recreation Attendants requires high school diploma or equivalent. 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. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Agricultural Equipment Operators earn $50,020 vs. $36,300 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →