Agricultural Engineers Career, Salary and Skills
Agricultural Engineers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $98,590 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 1,480. Wage data is published for 16 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
17-2021.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$98,590
Hourly median
$47.40
Employment
1,480
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.62 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Mathematics | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.75 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
Technology
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Eagle Point LANDCADD
- ESRI ArcView
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
Agricultural Engineers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in INMedian $94,730 · Employment 150
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in OKMedian $86,970 · Employment 120
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in Oklahoma City, OKMedian $86,970 · Employment 110
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in IAMedian $96,290 · Employment 100
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in St. Louis, MOMedian $124,340 · Employment 100
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in MNMedian $115,940 · Employment 60
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in OHMedian $119,250 · Employment 60
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in Lafayette, INMedian $86,320 · Employment 50
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in TXMedian $95,220 · Employment 50
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in PRMedian $40,690 · Employment 40
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in ARMedian $57,740 · Employment 40
- Agricultural Engineers Salary in MSMedian $91,560 · Employment 40
Related careers
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service TechniciansNational median $56,550
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthNational median $82,220
- Geothermal Production ManagersNational median $126,060
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $98,700
- Forest and Conservation TechniciansNational median $54,560
- Civil EngineersNational median $100,840
- Water Resource SpecialistsNational median $167,220
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $59,920
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.