How much does a agricultural equipment operator make?
The median agricultural equipment operator in the United States earns $41,730 per year, about $20.06 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all agricultural equipment operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-2091.
Agricultural equipment operator salary range
Pay for agricultural equipment operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,500 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $58,650. The average (mean) wage of $43,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,500 | $16.11 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 | |
| Median (50th) | $41,730 | $20.06 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,100 | $23.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $58,650 | $28.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for agricultural equipment operators (SOC 45-2091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Agricultural equipment operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Agricultural equipment operators earn the most in Montana at $58,770 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $32,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 | 270 |
| New York | $50,020 | N/A |
| Delaware | $49,910 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 | 900 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 | 430 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 | 240 |
| Virginia | $47,890 | 120 |
| Iowa | $47,220 | 1,530 |
| Ohio | $47,220 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,100 | 390 |
| Wisconsin | $47,100 | 830 |
| Nebraska | $46,670 | 1,090 |
| Maine | $46,490 | 60 |
| Missouri | $46,490 | 900 |
| Indiana | $46,280 | 810 |
| Illinois | $46,050 | 1,910 |
| Kansas | $45,570 | 670 |
| Oregon | $44,150 | 310 |
| Michigan | $42,380 | 460 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $41,660 | 70 |
| Maryland | $39,580 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $39,580 | 550 |
| Idaho | $38,920 | 490 |
| California | $38,820 | 7,940 |
| Washington | $38,470 | 550 |
| Tennessee | $37,750 | 390 |
| Colorado | $37,290 | N/A |
| Florida | $36,660 | 790 |
| Arizona | $36,600 | 730 |
| Mississippi | $36,460 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $35,580 | 130 |
| Georgia | $35,410 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $34,900 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $34,490 | 380 |
| Texas | $34,260 | 2,200 |
| Alabama | $33,910 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $32,060 | 350 |
State median wages for agricultural equipment operators (SOC 45-2091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for agricultural equipment operators
The BLS projects employment of agricultural equipment operators to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 66,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 72,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,100 openings a year for agricultural equipment operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an agricultural equipment operator
The typical entry-level education for agricultural equipment operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an agricultural equipment operator earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Montana, $58,770) and the lowest (Arkansas, $32,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 28,500 people work as agricultural equipment operators in the United States. At $41,730 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Agricultural equipment operator salary FAQ
How much does an agricultural equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an agricultural equipment operator is $20.06. The middle half of agricultural equipment operators earn between $17.70 and $23.12 per hour.
What is the highest agricultural equipment operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of agricultural equipment operators earn more than $58,650 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an agricultural equipment operator make a year?
The median annual salary for an agricultural equipment operator is $41,730. The average (mean) wage of $43,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an agricultural equipment operator a well paid job?
At $41,730 a year, an agricultural equipment operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 28,500 people work as agricultural equipment operators in the United States.
Which state pays agricultural equipment operators the most?
Montana has the highest median salary for agricultural equipment operators at $58,770 a year. Louisiana ($58,520) and New York ($50,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an agricultural equipment operator a good career?
Employment of agricultural equipment operators is projected to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an agricultural equipment operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for agricultural equipment operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Farming & Outdoors salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.