Agricultural Equipment Operators vs. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Equipment Operatorss out-earn Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Equipment Operatorss land at $41,730 and Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss 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 Operatorss is Montana ($58,770); for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss 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 Operatorss or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss?
Agricultural Equipment Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss versus $36,670 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Equipment Operators or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?
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 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 Operatorss get paid the most?
Montana is the top-paying state for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss 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 Operatorss earn $49,150 vs. $38,280 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animalss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.