Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Equipment Operators out-earn Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Equipment Operators land at $41,730 and Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals at $36,670. The education gap is real: agricultural equipment operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operators is Montana ($58,770); for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals it's Alaska ($50,450).
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 Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?
Agricultural Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators versus $36,670 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?
Agricultural Equipment Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 7.7% projected growth, compared to -5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?
Agricultural Equipment Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals requires no formal educational credential. 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. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Agricultural Equipment Operators earn $49,150 vs. $38,280 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.