What Agricultural Engineers Do
Agricultural engineers solve problems concerning power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozIUJsnBDLY
Work Environment
Agricultural engineers work mostly in offices, but may spend time traveling to agricultural settings. Agricultural engineers typically work full time.
How to Become an Agricultural Engineer
Agricultural engineers must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in agricultural engineering or biological engineering.
Pay
The median annual wage for agricultural engineers was $80,720 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of agricultural engineers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2019 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations. The need to increase the efficiency of agricultural production systems and to reduce environmental damage should maintain demand for these workers.
Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies, the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.
Duties
Agricultural engineers typically do the following:
- Use computer software to design equipment, systems, or structures
- Modify environmental factors that affect animal or crop production, such as airflow in a barn or runoff patterns on a field
- Test equipment to ensure its safety and reliability
- Oversee construction and production operations
- Plan and work together with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers to ensure effective and desirable outcomes
Agricultural engineers work in farming, including aquaculture (farming of seafood), forestry, and food processing. They work on a wide variety of projects. For example, some agricultural engineers work to develop climate control systems that increase the comfort and productivity of livestock whereas others work to increase the storage capacity and efficiency of refrigeration. Many agricultural engineers attempt to develop better solutions for animal waste disposal. Those with computer programming skills work to integrate artificial intelligence and geospatial systems into agriculture. For example, they work to improve efficiency in fertilizer application or to automate harvesting systems.
Agricultural engineers held about 1,700 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of agricultural engineers were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service | 20% |
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 12 |
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 9 |
Engineering services | 6 |
Agricultural engineers typically work in offices, but may spend time at a variety of worksites, both indoors and outdoors. They may travel to agricultural settings to see that equipment and machinery are functioning according to both the manufacturers’ specifications and federal and state regulations. Some agricultural engineers occasionally work in laboratories to test the quality of processing equipment. They may work onsite when they supervise livestock facility upgrades or water resource management projects.
Agricultural engineers work with others in designing solutions to problems or applying technological advances. They work with people from a variety of backgrounds, such as business, agronomy, animal sciences, and public policy.
Work Schedules
Agricultural engineers typically work full time. Schedules may vary because of weather conditions or other complications. When working on outdoor projects, agricultural engineers may work more hours to take advantage of good weather or fewer hours in case of bad weather.
In addition, agricultural engineers may need to be available outside of normal work hours to address unexpected problems that come up in manufacturing operations or rural construction projects.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of agricultural engineers.
Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians |
Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists. |
Associate’s degree | $41,230 | |
Agricultural and Food Scientists |
Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. |
Bachelor’s degree | $65,160 | |
Architectural and Engineering Managers |
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies. |
Bachelor’s degree | $144,830 | |
|
Civil Engineers |
Civil engineers design, build, and supervise infrastructure projects and systems. |
Bachelor’s degree | $87,060 |
Conservation Scientists and Foresters |
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. |
Bachelor’s degree | $62,410 | |
|
Environmental Engineers |
Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. |
Bachelor’s degree | $88,860 |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers |
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $71,160 | |
|
Hydrologists |
Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust. |
Bachelor’s degree | $81,270 |
|
Industrial Engineers |
Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. |
Bachelor’s degree | $88,020 |
|
Mechanical Engineers |
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. |
Bachelor’s degree | $88,430 |
For more information about agricultural engineers, visit
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
Technology Student Association
For more information about licensure for agricultural engineers, visit
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
National Society of Professional Engineers
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
For information about accredited engineering programs, visit
For a variety of information concerning agriculture, grants, and government initiatives, visit
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
O*NET
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Agricultural Engineers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/agricultural-engineers.htm (visited ).