SOC 45-2091 · May 2025 · United States
Agricultural Equipment Operators
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators across the United States is $41,730 per year, measured over 28,500 jobs. The highest state median is in Montana, at $58,770.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow faster than average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +7.7%
- Openings per year
- 10,500
- Typical entry-level education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
7.1% of people in this occupation work for themselves.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Agricultural Equipment Operators
Pay for this occupation varies by 83.3% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Montana pays $58,770 and Arkansas pays $32,060.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $58,770 | 130 | |
| 2 | Louisiana | $58,520 | 270 | |
| 3 | New York | $50,020 | — | |
| 4 | Delaware | $49,910 | 40 | |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $49,150 | 40 | |
| 6 | Minnesota | $48,520 | 900 | |
| 7 | North Dakota | $48,080 | 430 | |
| 8 | South Dakota | $48,060 | 240 | |
| 9 | Virginia | $47,890 | 120 | |
| 10 | Iowa | $47,220 | 1,530 |
States with the most Agricultural Equipment Operators jobs
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati | $54,380 | 50 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $53,680 | 180 |
| 3 | Lafayette | $52,100 | 30 |
| 4 | Columbus | $51,050 | 50 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $49,990 | 50 |
| 6 | Dubuque | $49,440 | 40 |
| 7 | Madison | $49,410 | 110 |
| 8 | Philadelphia | $49,220 | 140 |
| 9 | Fargo | $48,710 | 70 |
| 10 | Mankato | $48,520 | 70 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.