Agricultural Equipment Operators

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 20,890 - 46,550; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is seeking Agricultural Equipment Operators who will control and operate farm machinery to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. Responsibilities include operating towed machines, recording weights, applying pesticides, and managing equipment maintenance. Candidates should ideally have vocational training or an associate’s degree in agriculture. The role offers a salary range between $20,890 and $46,550 annually depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• Control and operate farm equipment to till soil, plant, and harvest crops.
• Perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, and ginning.
• Follow safety regulations and maintain equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate towed machines for planting and fertilizing crops.
• Weigh crop-filled containers and record necessary information.
• Drive trucks to haul crops and supplies.

Skills

Operation and Control

Operation Monitoring

Troubleshooting

Repairing

Active Listening

Equipment Maintenance

Education

Vocational training or associate’s degree in agriculture

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Job description

Overview of the role: Agricultural Equipment Operators drive and control farm equipment to till soil, plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. They may also perform post‑harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.

Responsibilities

• Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
• Weigh crop‑filled containers and record weights and other identifying information.
• Apply fertilizer or pesticide solutions using hand sprayers to control insects, fungi, weed growth, and diseases.
• Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants at specified intervals.
• Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
• Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.

Critical Skills

• Operation and Control: Controlling equipment and systems.
• Operation Monitoring: Observing gauges, dials, and indicators to ensure proper operation.
• Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding appropriate actions.
• Repairing: Using needed tools to repair machines or systems.
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to others, asking questions, and not interrupting.
• Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance and determining necessary maintenance.

Typical Positions

• Berry picker machine operator
• Peanut shaker
• Replanting machine operator
• Fruit loader, machine operator
• Machine operator cane cutter

Industry Outlook

In 2016 there were 63,900 Agricultural Equipment Operator jobs in the United States. New jobs are produced at a rate of 5.5 % annually, above the national average. By 2026 the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 3,500 new jobs, with an average of 10,200 openings each year.

States with the greatest job growth include Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, while South Carolina, Florida, and Delaware have the lowest growth in this profession.

Compensation

The salary range is approximately $20,890 to $46,550 per year.

Highest salaries are reported in Michigan, New York, and North Dakota.

State‑by‑State Salary

• Alabama – $26,010
• Arizona – $32,670
• Arkansas – $26,150
• California – $32,180
• Colorado – $32,890
• Florida – $28,420
• Georgia – $26,860
• Idaho – $32,910
• Illinois – $36,260
• Indiana – $35,030
• Iowa – $37,100
• Kansas – $33,990
• Kentucky – $32,570
• Louisiana – $33,160
• Maryland – $28,560
• Massachusetts – $29,480
• Michigan – $39,640
• Minnesota – $37,310
• Mississippi – $37,410
• Missouri – $34,240
• Montana – $29,630
• Nebraska – $39,020
• New Jersey – $24,560
• New Mexico – $33,750
• New York – $37,430
• North Carolina – $27,440
• North Dakota – $39,760
• Ohio – $37,420
• Oklahoma – $29,390
• Oregon – $31,170
• Pennsylvania – $35,370
• South Carolina – $34,940
• South Dakota – $38,780
• Tennessee – $33,520
• Texas – $27,240
• Utah – $29,720
• Vermont – $31,050
• Virginia – $33,030
• Washington – $34,900
• Wisconsin – $37,420

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Access

Education and Training

Additional education may include vocational training or an associate’s degree in agriculture or related fields, though requirements vary by employer.