Occupation · SOC 45-2091
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
Median wage
$42,580
$31,240–$57,790
Projected growth
+7.8%
Faster than average
Annual openings
500
per year
Employed (US)
30,940
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
15 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingSpeakingMonitoringCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment SelectionComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementService OrientationReading ComprehensionManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingActive LearningWritingNegotiationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionMathematicsLearning StrategiesScienceTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationOperations AnalysisProgramming
Knowledge areas
English LanguageMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsTransportationProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceChemistryLaw and GovernmentDesignEducation and TrainingPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyAdministration and ManagementBiologyTelecommunicationsGeographyEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesHistory and ArcheologyPsychologyFood ProductionSales and MarketingTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Farm Management Software Hay and Crop ManagerMartens Farms Farm Site MateMartens Farms Farm TracMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsProcessing InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationCoaching and Developing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsWorking with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine tractors and small implements — operate safely under a senior operator's direction on a working farm.Daily pre-shift inspections (fluids, tires, lights, hitches) — complete per the operation's checklist.Hitching and unhitching of common implements — perform without supervisor prompting on routine equipment.Personal protective equipment (rollover protection, hearing, respirators) — apply consistently.Field maps and assignment sheets — read and follow on a defined parcel.Refueling and basic lubrication — perform per the manufacturer's intervals.Daily logs and acreage tallies — record accurately for the manager.Routine PTO operation and safety — follow without exception.Equipment storage and weather protection — execute per the operation's standards.Two-way-radio communications with the boss and crew — use clearly during operations.
developing
Tillage, planting, and harvest operations — execute independently on routine row crops or hay.GPS guidance and autosteer systems — set up and operate on tractors and combines.Sprayer calibration and field application — perform under a licensed applicator's plan.Combine settings (concave, fan, sieve) — adjust for crop and field conditions with light supervision.Routine equipment troubleshooting (sensors, belts, drives) — perform with documented checklists.Hay baling and stacking — operate balers, accumulators, and stackers across a season.Field-edge and headland management — execute with appropriate set-out and turning patterns.Crew coordination during peak operations — communicate with grain-cart and truck drivers.Implement changeovers and tool-bar adjustments — perform efficiently between fields.Junior operators and seasonal hires — train on safety, basic operation, and machine care.
proficient
Complex implements (variable-rate planters, prescription sprayers, robotic milkers) — operate at production scale.Variable-rate prescriptions from agronomy software — load, execute, and verify on planters and sprayers.Major repairs (hydraulics, drivetrain, electronics) — diagnose with technical-service support.Equipment fleets across a season — schedule, coordinate, and maintain at field-operation level.Custom-operator and contract work — manage with billing, scheduling, and quality documentation.Equipment safety and youth-operator programs — own per OSHA and ag-safety standards.Continuous-improvement projects (fuel use, downtime, fertilizer placement) — lead with measurable outcomes.Vendor and dealer relationships — manage for service, parts, and warranty.Operator teams across multiple fields or farms — supervise during planting and harvest.Capital-equipment evaluations — recommend on purchase and trade-in cycles.
advanced
Equipment strategy for a farm or custom-operation business — set across fleet, technology, and labor.Major capital decisions (new combines, sprayers, autonomous platforms) — author and defend with the owner.Precision-ag programs and data systems — integrate with agronomy, accounting, and traceability.Workforce development and operator certification — own with measurable retention.Industry standards (ASABE, equipment-manufacturer training) — contribute through committees.Crisis response (weather, breakdowns, fire) — lead at the operation level with vendor and crew coordination.Cross-farm operator pools and equipment-sharing arrangements — design and steward.Capital and operating budgets — own with executive sponsorship at the farm or company level.Talent pipelines from technical colleges and apprenticeships — build with measurable outcomes.Legacy mentorship of operators — institutionalize through training and certification.
Also known as
99 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agricultural Equipment Operator (Ag Equipment Operator)Agricultural Farm Equipment OperatorAgricultural Plow OperatorAgriculture Equipment OperatorBalerBaler OperatorBean Picker Machine OperatorBerry Picker Machine OperatorBroomcorn ThresherCane Cutter Machine OperatorCane Flume Chute OperatorCane Flume Feeding Machine OperatorCane PilerChopper OperatorCombine DriverCombine OperatorCorn CutterCorn Detasseler Machine OperatorCorn Husker Machine OperatorCotton BalerCotton ChopperCotton GinnerCotton Picker OperatorCotton StripperCultivatorCustom HarvesterCutter OperatorDairy Machine OperatorEquipment OperatorFarm Equipment OperatorFarm Machine TenderFarm Tractor OperatorFeed Mixer OperatorFertilizer ApplicatorFertilizing Machine OperatorField Crops Harvest Machine OperatorField HaulerForestry Equipment OperatorFruit Harvest Machine OperatorFruit Harvester Machine Operator