What Do Agricultural Engineer Do?
Example of Agricultural Engineer Job 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.
List of Agricultural Engineer Job Duties
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
- Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
What Every Agricultural Engineer Should Know
Agricultural Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles
- Product Technology Scientist
- Agricultural Safety and Health Program Director
- Conservation Engineer
- Test Engineer
- Engineer
Agricultural Engineer Employment Estimates
There were about 2,700 jobs for Agricultural Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Agricultural Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Agricultural Engineer are North Carolina, Washington, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Oregon, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Agricultural Engineers Make A Lot Of Money?
Agricultural Engineers make between $46,500 and $116,850 a year.
Agricultural Engineers who work in Illinois, Iowa, or Ohio, make the highest salaries.
How much do Agricultural Engineers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $75,350 |
Florida | $76,100 |
Illinois | $86,690 |
Indiana | $78,710 |
Iowa | $85,320 |
Kentucky | $67,010 |
Ohio | $83,600 |
Pennsylvania | $77,060 |
South Dakota | $65,650 |
What Tools & Technology do Agricultural Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Agricultural Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- SAS
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Oracle software
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- PTC Creo Parametric
- SAP software
Becoming an Agricultural Engineer
What education is needed to be an Agricultural Engineer?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Agricultural Engineer?
Agricultural Engineers Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Engineers employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Agricultural Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Agricultural Research Service, the research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.