Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators: Who Earns More?
Agricultural Equipment Operators out-earn Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse land at $35,660 and Agricultural Equipment Operators at $41,730. The education gap is real: farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse programs typically require no formal educational credential, while agricultural equipment operator programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse is Wyoming ($55,180); for Agricultural Equipment Operators it's Montana ($58,770).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse or Agricultural Equipment Operators?
Agricultural Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $35,660 for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse versus $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse or Agricultural Equipment Operators?
Agricultural Equipment Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 7.7% projected growth, compared to -3.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse or Agricultural Equipment Operators?
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse typically requires no formal educational credential. Agricultural Equipment Operators requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse get paid the most?
Wyoming is the top-paying state for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse at $55,180/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In South Dakota, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earn $42,260 vs. $48,060 for Agricultural Equipment Operators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.