What Do Agricultural Engineer Do?
Job Description: 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.
List of Agricultural Engineer Job Duties
- Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
- Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
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Agricultural Engineer Required Skills
Agricultural Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Permaculture Designer
- Agriculture Scientist
- Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer
- Farm Equipment Engineer
- Regional Engineer
Job Demand 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. The BLS estimates 200 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Agricultural Engineer Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Agricultural Engineers is somewhere between $46,500 and $116,850.

Agricultural Engineers who work in Illinois, Iowa, or Ohio, make the highest salaries.
How much do Agricultural Engineers make 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Agricultural Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Agricultural Engineers:
- 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
How to Become an Agricultural Engineer
Are there Agricultural Engineers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Agricultural Engineer?

Where do Agricultural Engineers Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Engineers employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Agricultural Engineer may also be interested in:
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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