What does an Agricultural Equipment Operator earn?

On average, agricultural equipment operators earn around $36,280 per year in the U.S., operating machinery and equipment to cultivate, manufacture and distribute food products. They can specialise in various areas such as animal husbandry, crop and soil preparation, harvesting, and pest control. A variety of activities can be performed, including monitoring harvesting and pasture management, tractor and forklift operation, and maintaining and repairing agricultural machinery.

How to earn more as an Agricultural Equipment Operator

To become an Agricultural Equipment Operator, you will need a diploma or certification in heavy-duty equipment operation or agricultural engineering. You could also complete an apprenticeship with a reputable agricultural machinery company. To boost your earning potential, you could look at specialising in a niche area, such as aeration or crop management, or aim for a supervisor or manager position within the agricultural industry. If you are entrepreneurial, you might want to consider setting up your own agricultural machinery business.