### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Agricultural Engineers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			agricultural engineers imageAgricultural engineers sometimes travel to farms to oversee the installation of new systems.							
						Quick Facts:     Agricultural Engineers2023     Median Pay
            						$88,750     per year
										$42.67     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    100What Agricultural Engineers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Agricultural engineers solve problems concerning power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Agricultural engineers work mostly in offices, but may spend time traveling to agricultural settings. Agricultural engineers typically work full time.
            
                                                How to Become an Agricultural Engineer
                                                
                        
Agricultural engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, such as agricultural or biological engineering.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for agricultural engineers was $88,750 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of agricultural engineers is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 100 openings for agricultural engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural engineers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural engineers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about agricultural engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Agricultural Engineers Do 
            

			Agricultural engineersAgricultural engineers often have to observe the results of their work where the crops are actually grown.			
Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies, the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.
Duties
Agricultural engineers typically do the following:
Use computer software to design equipment, systems, or structures
Modify environmental factors that affect animal or crop production, such as airflow in a barn or runoff patterns on a field
Test equipment to ensure its safety and reliability
Oversee construction and production operations
Plan and work together with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers to ensure effective and desirable outcomesAgricultural engineers work in farming, including aquaculture (farming of seafood), forestry, and food processing. They work on a wide variety of projects. For example, some agricultural engineers work to develop climate control systems that increase the comfort and productivity of livestock whereas others work to increase the storage capacity and efficiency of refrigeration. Many agricultural engineers attempt to develop better solutions for animal waste disposal. Those with computer programming skills work to integrate artificial intelligence and geospatial systems into agriculture. For example, they work to improve efficiency in fertilizer application or to automate harvesting systems.
 Work Environment
			Agricultural engineersAgricultural engineers may test the effects that specific growing conditions have on plants, in a laboratory setting.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Agricultural engineers held about 1,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of agricultural engineers were as follows:
        Federal government, excluding postal service
                25%Engineering services
                14Manufacturing
                12State government, excluding education and hospitals
                11Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state
                5Agricultural engineers typically work in offices, but may spend time at a variety of worksites, both indoors and outdoors. They may travel to agricultural settings to see that equipment and machinery are functioning according to both the manufacturers’ specifications and federal and state regulations. Some agricultural engineers occasionally work in laboratories to test the quality of processing equipment. They may work onsite when they supervise livestock facility upgrades or water resource management projects.
Agricultural engineers work with others in designing solutions to problems or applying technological advances. They work with people from a variety of backgrounds, such as business, agronomy, animal sciences, and public policy.
Injuries and Illnesses
Agricultural engineers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Work Schedules
Agricultural engineers typically work full time. Schedules may vary because of weather conditions or other complications. When working on outdoor projects, agricultural engineers may work more hours to take advantage of good weather or fewer hours in case of bad weather.
In addition, agricultural engineers may need to be available outside of normal work hours to address unexpected problems that come up in manufacturing operations or rural construction projects.
 How to Become an Agricultural Engineer

			Agricultural engineersBachelor’s degree programs in biological and agricultural engineering typically include significant hands-on components in areas such as science.			
Agricultural engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, such as agricultural or biological engineering.
Education
High school students who are interested in studying agricultural engineering should take classes in math and science. College students take courses in calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry. They also may take courses in business, public policy, and economics.
Entry-level jobs in agricultural engineering typically require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, including agricultural engineering or biological engineering. College students may gain practical experience through internships or from working on projects for engineering competitions, in which teams of students design equipment and attempt to solve real problems.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have graduated from programs accredited by a professional association, such as ABET.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Agricultural engineers must analyze the needs of complex systems that involve workers, crops, animals, machinery and equipment, and the environment.
***Communication skills.*** Agricultural engineers must understand the needs of clients, workers, and others working on a project. Furthermore, they must communicate their thoughts about systems and about solutions to any problems they have been working on.
***Math skills.*** Agricultural engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced mathematical disciplines for analysis, design, and troubleshooting.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Agricultural engineers’ main role is to solve problems found in agricultural production. Goals may include designing safer equipment for food processing or reducing erosion. To solve these problems, agricultural engineers must creatively apply the principles of engineering.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as an agricultural engineer. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years
A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) examThe initial FE exam can be taken after one earns a bachelor’s degree. Engineers who pass this exam are commonly called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE).
Each state issues its own licenses. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require engineers to take continuing education to keep their licenses. For licensing requirements, check with your state’s licensing board.
Advancement
New engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers. As they gain knowledge and experience, beginning engineers move to more difficult projects and increase their independence in developing designs, solving problems, and making decisions.
With experience, agricultural engineers may advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some advance to become engineering managers. Agricultural engineers who become sales engineers use their engineering background to discuss a product’s technical aspects with potential buyers and to help in product planning, installation, and use.
Engineers who have a master’s degree or a Ph.D. are more likely to be involved in research and development activities, and may become postsecondary teachers.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Agricultural EngineersMedian annual wages, May 2023Engineers$102,660  Agricultural engineers$88,750  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for agricultural engineers was $88,750 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $62,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $127,590.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for agricultural engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Engineering services
                $98,500Federal government, excluding postal service
                94,060Manufacturing
                86,280Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state
                79,620State government, excluding education and hospitals
                74,730Agricultural engineers typically work full time. Schedules may vary because of weather conditions or other complications. When working on outdoor projects, agricultural engineers may work more hours to take advantage of good weather or fewer hours in case of bad weather.
In addition, agricultural engineers may need to be available outside of normal work hours to address unexpected problems that come up in manufacturing operations or rural construction projects.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Agricultural EngineersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Engineers7%  Agricultural engineers6%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of agricultural engineers is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 100 openings for agricultural engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Farms will continue to need agricultural engineers to design more efficient machinery, equipment, and buildings and to help reduce environmental damage.
Agricultural engineers are expected to continue working on projects such as alternative energies and biofuels; precision and automated farming technologies for irrigation, spraying, and harvesting; and worker safety systems.
In addition, strong global competition should further support demand for these workers as farmers seek ways to reduce costs and increase production.
			

                        Employment projections data for     agricultural engineers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Agricultural engineers**
			17-2021
			1,600
			1,700
			6
			100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Agricultural engineers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of agricultural engineers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural and Food Science Technicians**
            Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists.
            Associate's degree
            $47,010**Agricultural and Food Scientists**
            Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,400**Architectural and Engineering Managers**
            Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.
            Bachelor's degree
            $165,370**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Conservation Scientists and Foresters**
            Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,300**Environmental Engineers**
            Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $100,090**Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers**
            Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $83,770**Hydrologists**
            Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.
            Bachelor's degree
            $88,770**Industrial Engineers**
            Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,380**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about agricultural engineers, visit
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
Technology Student Association
For more information about licensure for agricultural engineers, visit
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
National Society of Professional Engineers
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
For information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET
For a variety of information concerning agriculture, grants, and government initiatives, visit
Future Farmers of America
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Agricultural Engineers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Agricultural Engineers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/agricultural-engineers.htm (visited *May 20, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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