How much does a agricultural engineer make?
The median agricultural engineer in the United States earns $84,630 per year, about $40.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all agricultural engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2021.
Agricultural engineer salary range
Pay for agricultural engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $132,700. The average (mean) wage is $84,240, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,020 | $20.68 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,930 | $24.01 | |
| Median (50th) | $84,630 | $40.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $103,940 | $49.97 | |
| 90th percentile | $132,700 | $63.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for agricultural engineers (SOC 17-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Agricultural engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Agricultural engineers earn the most in Ohio at $111,200 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $59,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $111,200 | 60 |
| Texas | $104,980 | 40 |
| Florida | $98,180 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $94,310 | 40 |
| Michigan | $91,470 | 200 |
| Indiana | $84,640 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $84,630 | 120 |
| Nebraska | $75,760 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,930 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $59,990 | 80 |
State median wages for agricultural engineers (SOC 17-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for agricultural engineers
The BLS projects employment of agricultural engineers to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for agricultural engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an agricultural engineer
The typical entry-level education for agricultural engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an agricultural engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $111,200) and the lowest (Arkansas, $59,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,680 people work as agricultural engineers in the United States. At $84,630 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Agricultural engineer salary FAQ
How much does an agricultural engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an agricultural engineer is $40.69. The middle half of agricultural engineers earn between $24.01 and $49.97 per hour.
What is the highest agricultural engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of agricultural engineers earn more than $132,700 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an agricultural engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for an agricultural engineer is $84,630. The average (mean) wage is $84,240, close to the median.
Is being an agricultural engineer a well paid job?
At $84,630 a year, an agricultural engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,680 people work as agricultural engineers in the United States.
Which state pays agricultural engineers the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for agricultural engineers at $111,200 a year. Texas ($104,980) and Florida ($98,180) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an agricultural engineer a good career?
Employment of agricultural engineers is projected to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an agricultural engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for agricultural engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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