SOC 17-2021.00Bright outlook

    Agricultural Engineers

    Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

    Median pay
    $98,590
    Growth
    +6.9%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    100
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $68,060
    Median
    $98,590
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $166,460
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    1,480 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Agricultural engineers solve farming and food production problems by combining engineering technology with biological science. The career offers a median annual pay of $98,590, with top earners making over $166,460.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What agricultural engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career design machinery, structures, and systems to improve agricultural processes, conserve soil and water, and process food products. On a daily basis, agricultural engineers spend time working with computers, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. They must gather and process information to make decisions, think creatively, and document their findings while ensuring all designs comply with industry standards.

    Success in this field requires a strong interest in realistic, hands-on activities. Engineers rely on critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics to evaluate systems and solve technical issues. They must have a deep understanding of engineering, physics, biology, and chemistry, alongside knowledge of food production and mechanical systems. Key work styles for this role include attention to detail, innovation, intellectual curiosity, and dependability.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, most individuals need a bachelor's degree. The typical college major that prepares students for this field is agricultural engineering. Because this role requires considerable preparation, employers generally look for candidates who also have several years of related work experience.

    While not universally required, some states list a license for agricultural engineering work. Professionals can also pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Certified Crop Advisor and the Certified Professional Agronomist, both offered by the American Society of Agronomy.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for agricultural engineers was $98,590. The lowest ten percent of earners in this field made less than $68,060, while the highest ten percent earned more than $166,460.

    There were 1,480 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 6.9 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Despite this rapid growth rate, the relatively small size of the field means there are only about 100 job openings projected each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    94 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    88 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    20 / 100
    Social (S)
    12 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    22 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    46 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    93
    Analyzing Data or Information
    89
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    88
    Getting Information
    86
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    86
    Processing Information
    84
    Documenting/Recording Information
    83
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    83
    Thinking Creatively
    83
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    80
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Mathematics
    • Systems Analysis

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Biology
    • Mechanical
    • English Language
    • Food Production
    • Chemistry

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Category Flexibility
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Innovation
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Adaptability
    • Self-Confidence
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Agricultural Engineer · Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer · Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer · Agricultural Production Engineer · Agricultural Research Engineer · Agricultural Systems Specialist · Agriculture Consultant · Agriculture Engineer · Agriculture Scientist · Conservation Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to agricultural engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Agricultural Engineers$98,590 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1University of Maryland-College Park Main Campus logo
      University of Maryland-College Park Main Campus

      College Park, MD · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $78,885
      4 yrs after
      $93,440
      Median debt
      $21,500
    2. 2California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO logo
      California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO

      San Luis Obispo, CA · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $85,019
      4 yrs after
      $92,603
      Median debt
      $25,000
    3. 3University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Campus logo
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Campus

      Champaign, IL · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $66,386
      4 yrs after
      $89,400
      Median debt
      $18,361
    4. 4Iowa State University logo
      Iowa State University

      Ames, IA · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $74,047
      4 yrs after
      $88,576
      Median debt
      $18,750
    5. 5
      Clemson University

      Clemson, SC · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $88,338
      Median debt
      $22,875
    6. 6Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University logo
      Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

      Blacksburg, VA · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $73,824
      4 yrs after
      $88,315
      Median debt
      $27,000
    7. 7Michigan State University logo
      Michigan State University

      East Lansing, MI · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $63,187
      4 yrs after
      $86,498
      Median debt
      $24,276
    8. 8Purdue University-Main Campus logo
      Purdue University-Main Campus

      West Lafayette, IN · Agricultural Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $71,807
      4 yrs after
      $86,306
      Median debt
      $22,153

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What agricultural engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Agricultural Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    51 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about agricultural engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for agricultural engineers?

    Professionals in this field may also be called agricultural equipment design engineers, agricultural systems specialists, conservation engineers, or agriculture consultants.

    What college major is most relevant for this career?

    Students interested in this career typically major in agricultural engineering, which provides the necessary foundation in engineering technology and biological science.

    Are there professional certifications available for this field?

    Yes. Professionals can earn credentials such as the Certified Crop Advisor or the Certified Professional Agronomist through the American Society of Agronomy.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.