Architecture & Engineering
Agricultural Engineers
Also called: Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Conservation Engineer, Engineer
US median pay
$98,590
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.9%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
100
1,500 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Systems Evaluation3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Systems Analysis3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.8/5
- Computers and Electronics4.5/5
- Design4.3/5
- Physics4.2/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- Biology4.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree75%
- Doctoral degree10%
- Master's degree10%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.