Engineers

How to become an Agricultural Engineer

Official title: Agricultural Engineers

Also called: Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Conservation Engineer, Engineer, Field Engineer, Product Engineer, Product Technology Scientist, Project Engineer, Research Agricultural Engineer, Research Engineer

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.

Main tasks

Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
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.
Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.

How to become one

Agricultural engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in an engineering field, such as agricultural or biological engineering.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 47 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $98,590 a year The middle half earn $82,260 to $124,880.
About 1,500 people work in this job now, and about 1,600 are projected by 2035. (+6.9%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Agricultural Engineer?

Agricultural engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in an engineering field, such as agricultural or biological engineering.

How much does an Agricultural Engineer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $98,590 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $82,260 to $124,880.

Is an Agricultural Engineer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 1,500 to about 1,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Agricultural Engineer?

Usually. 78% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Agricultural Engineer?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.