SOC 452091

Agricultural Equipment Operators

Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.

National Median

$42,580

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$42,580

Entry Level (10th pct)

$31,240

Experienced (90th pct)

$57,790

Total Employed

30,940

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$31,240 - $36,640
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,640 - $48,690
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$48,690 - $57,790

Highest Paying Locations for Agricultural Equipment Operators

Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area

$61,580

+44.6% vs national

Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

$54,020

+26.9% vs national

Montana

$53,900

+26.6% vs national

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

$53,510

+25.7% vs national

Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area

$52,870

+24.2% vs national

Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$61,580	50
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$54,020	140
Montana	$53,900	80
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$53,510	100
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$52,870	100
Columbus, OH	$52,370	100
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$51,200	40
New York	$51,100	130
Rochester, NY	$50,960	30
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$50,460	40
Delaware	$50,450	60
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$50,170	140
Dubuque, IA	$50,010	40
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$49,680	60
Madison, WI	$49,430	120
East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$49,370	170
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$49,160	470
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$49,110	230
Ohio	$49,070	970
Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$48,940	50
Indiana	$48,930	830
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$48,880	50
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$48,830	240
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$48,830	470
Napa, CA	$48,710	420
Iowa	$48,690	1,710
Medford, OR	$48,630	40
Cedar Rapids, IA	$48,560	40
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous)	$48,530	210
Terre Haute, IN	$48,440	30
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$48,440	280
Minnesota	$48,390	780
Mankato, MN	$48,230	60
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$48,040	140
Kansas City, MO-KS	$47,930	190
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$47,860	100
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$47,850	160
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$47,830	100
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$47,800	240
Omaha, NE-IA	$47,780	120
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$47,730	50
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$47,690	330
North Dakota	$47,640	300
Fort Wayne, IN	$47,640	40
Wisconsin	$47,520	670
Maine	$47,500	40
Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area	$47,500	30
Champaign-Urbana, IL	$47,440	110
St. Louis, MO-IL	$47,230	190
Bloomington, IL	$47,120	60

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Agricultural Equipment Operators?

The national median annual salary for Agricultural Equipment Operators is $42,580, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Agricultural Equipment Operatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Agricultural Equipment Operatorss is Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area, with a median salary of $61,580.

How much can an experienced Agricultural Equipment Operators make?

Top-earning Agricultural Equipment Operatorss (90th percentile) make $57,790 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.