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Agricultural Engineer

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All About Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural Engineer Definition 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.

Daily Life Of an Agricultural Engineer

  • Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
  • Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
  • Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
  • Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
  • Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
  • Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.

Things an Agricultural Engineer Should Know How to Do

Below is a list of the skills most Agricultural Engineers say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Other Agricultural Engineer Job Titles

  • Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer
  • Research Associate
  • Farm Equipment Engineer
  • Agricultural Safety and Health Program Director
  • Permaculture Designer

Job Outlook for Agricultural Engineers

In the United States, there were 2,700 jobs for Agricultural Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Agricultural Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 200 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Agricultural Engineer are North Carolina, Washington, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Oregon, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Agricultural Engineers Make A Lot Of Money?

Agricultural Engineers make between $46,500 and $116,850 a year.

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Agricultural Engineers who work in Illinois, Iowa, or Ohio, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Agricultural Engineers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
California $75,350
Florida $76,100
Illinois $86,690
Indiana $78,710
Iowa $85,320
Kentucky $67,010
Ohio $83,600
Pennsylvania $77,060
South Dakota $65,650

Tools & Technologies Used by Agricultural Engineers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Agricultural Engineers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • SAS
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Oracle software
  • Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • SAP software

Becoming an Agricultural Engineer

Individuals working as an Agricultural Engineer have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Agricultural Engineer?

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Where Agricultural Engineers Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming an Agricultural Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: Agricultural Research Service, the research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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