Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Equipment Operators out-earn Animal Caretakers by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Equipment Operators land at $41,730 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operators is Montana ($58,770); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Equipment Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 7.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Animal Caretakers?
Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Animal Caretakers 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. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Montana, Agricultural Equipment Operators earn $58,770 vs. $34,210 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.