What is an Agricultural Engineer?
Position 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.
Daily Life Of an Agricultural Engineer
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- 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.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
Agricultural Engineer Skills
When polled, Agricultural Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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 for this Occupation:
- Agriculture Engineer
- Farm Equipment Engineer
- Engineering Leader
- Product Technology Scientist
- Test Engineer
Job Opportunities 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.
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.
How Much Does an Agricultural Engineer Make?
Agricultural Engineers make between $46,500 and $116,850 a year.
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 |
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
How do I Become an Agricultural Engineer?
What kind of Agricultural Engineer requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become an Agricultural Engineer?
Who Employs Agricultural Engineers?
The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Engineers employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
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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