Agricultural Equipment Operator Salary
Agricultural Equipment Operators earn a median $41,730 a year nationally. Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
What agricultural equipment operators do
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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.6% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 10,100
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of agricultural equipment operators is projected to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Agricultural Equipment Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,828
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,587
- Medicare (1.45%)$605
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$35,710
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,500 | $16.11 | $29,097 |
| 25th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 | $31,757 |
| Median (50th) | $41,730 | $20.06 | $35,710 |
| 75th percentile | $48,100 | $23.13 | $40,828 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,650 | $28.20 | $49,305 |
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 | +9.0% | $47,396 | $28,790 – $73,650 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 | — | $47,831 | $32,190 – $64,510 | 270 |
| New York | $50,020 | −2.1% | $40,267 | $40,700 – $76,940 | — |
| Delaware | $49,910 | −1.1% | $40,190 | $37,460 – $60,330 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 | +25.0% | $39,435 | $36,430 – $60,290 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 | +0.3% | $39,389 | $38,630 – $59,720 | 900 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 | +0.9% | $40,812 | $39,020 – $60,820 | 430 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 | +4.7% | $40,796 | $38,480 – $53,250 | 240 |
| Virginia | $47,890 | +4.7% | $38,720 | $39,780 – $60,910 | 120 |
| Iowa | $47,220 | −3.0% | $38,979 | $37,020 – $62,360 | 1,530 |
| Ohio | $47,220 | −3.8% | $39,605 | $37,340 – $59,640 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,100 | +13.1% | $38,579 | $33,780 – $60,590 | 390 |
| Wisconsin | $47,100 | −0.9% | $38,733 | $36,430 – $61,010 | 830 |
| Nebraska | $46,670 | +2.1% | $38,435 | $37,900 – $61,300 | 1,090 |
| Maine | $46,490 | −2.1% | $37,578 | $46,490 – $57,290 | 60 |
| Missouri | $46,490 | −0.3% | $38,287 | $38,140 – $74,990 | 900 |
| Indiana | $46,280 | −5.4% | $38,030 | $39,100 – $57,940 | 810 |
| Illinois | $46,050 | −1.6% | $37,046 | $37,660 – $58,300 | 1,910 |
| Kansas | $45,570 | +2.4% | $37,052 | $38,120 – $57,340 | 670 |
| Oregon | $44,150 | +11.1% | $34,621 | $36,930 – $53,880 | 310 |
| Michigan | $42,380 | −0.5% | $34,682 | $30,320 – $49,360 | 460 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 | −6.0% | $34,575 | $36,940 – $84,880 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $41,660 | −10.7% | $34,900 | $35,790 – $51,420 | 70 |
| Maryland | $39,580 | −4.5% | $32,466 | $38,400 – $50,890 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $39,580 | −1.8% | $32,912 | $26,110 – $49,240 | 550 |
| Idaho | $38,920 | −12.9% | $32,498 | $30,320 – $46,850 | 490 |
| California | $38,820 | −3.3% | $32,325 | $35,620 – $54,580 | 7,940 |
| Washington | $38,470 | −3.8% | $33,091 | $36,610 – $59,270 | 550 |
| Tennessee | $37,750 | −5.6% | $32,512 | $26,380 – $54,070 | 390 |
| Colorado | $37,290 | −13.2% | $31,210 | $32,410 – $48,840 | — |
| Florida | $36,660 | +3.2% | $31,636 | $30,060 – $50,260 | 790 |
| Arizona | $36,600 | +6.8% | $30,882 | $32,910 – $42,510 | 730 |
| Mississippi | $36,460 | +19.3% | $30,749 | $20,340 – $43,430 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $35,580 | +0.3% | $30,206 | $27,730 – $46,000 | 130 |
| Georgia | $35,410 | +1.8% | $29,417 | $28,890 – $46,910 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $34,900 | +1.6% | $29,197 | $25,360 – $73,570 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $34,490 | −19.0% | $28,980 | $29,370 – $46,180 | 380 |
| Texas | $34,260 | +14.5% | $29,708 | $24,550 – $44,720 | 2,200 |
| Alabama | $33,910 | +15.3% | $27,996 | $27,360 – $44,930 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $32,060 | +5.5% | $26,903 | $28,760 – $45,090 | 350 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 | No formal educational credential | -3.2% |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 | No formal educational credential | -2.4% |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $35,730 | No formal educational credential | -3.4% |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Forest and Conservation Worker | $43,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.5% |
| Log Grader and Scaler | $46,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.2% |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.8% |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make?
The national median salary for agricultural equipment operators is $41,730 a year ($20.06 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,500 and the top 10% earn over $58,650. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays agricultural equipment operators the most?
Montana has the highest median pay at $58,770.
How many agricultural equipment operators are there in the U.S.?
About 28,500 people work as agricultural equipment operators nationwide.