Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Agricultural engineers work at the intersection of engineering principles and agricultural systems. This career combines science, mathematics, and mechanical knowledge with computers and information technology to address problems in agriculture. The national median annual salary of $84,630 reflects a solid earning level for professionals in this field. With national employment of 2,000 and projected employment growth of 5.9%, agricultural engineering offers a specialized but growing niche. Success in this career relies on strong critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and effective speaking and listening. Writing and reading skills also matter, as does creativity and innovation for developing new solutions. The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree, making it accessible to those completing a four-year program. For students, career changers, or professionals with a technical background, agricultural engineering can offer a focused path that blends technical expertise with real-world problem solving in agriculture-related settings.
The national median annual salary for agricultural engineers is $84,630, indicating a strong earning potential for a bachelor’s-level technical role. Salaries vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering substantially higher median pay. Among states, Ohio shows a median salary of $119,250 and Minnesota $115,940, both notably higher than the national median. Texas and Indiana also exceed the national figure with median salaries of $95,220 and $94,730, respectively, while Colorado stands at $88,650. At the metro level, St. Louis, MO-IL stands out with a median salary of $124,340, which is the highest among the listed areas. Other metros such as Oklahoma City, OK and Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN offer median salaries in the mid-$80,000s, while San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR has a lower median of $40,690. These differences highlight how geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential in this occupation.
Agricultural engineers have a national employment level of 2,000, indicating a relatively small, specialized profession. The projected employment growth of 5.9% suggests that the field is expected to expand over time. This same 5.9% growth rate appears in the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating consistent projected growth across multiple regions. Annual openings are listed as 0, which points to limited quantified data on new or replacement positions, rather than a large volume of tracked openings. For career planning, the combination of a defined employment base and a positive growth percentage suggests that opportunities may increase, but within a focused niche rather than a broad, high-volume job market. Individuals considering this path should recognize that while the field is not large, it does show measurable projected growth, which can support long-term career planning for those who build the right education and skill set.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunities for agricultural engineers. Among states, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana rank highest by CareerGPS opportunity score. Colorado has an opportunity score of 56.97, with a median salary of $88,650 and employment of 30. Texas combines a median salary of $95,220 with employment of 50 and an opportunity score of 51.57. Minnesota and Ohio both show employment of 60 and higher median salaries of $115,940 and $119,250, respectively, with opportunity scores of 49.59 and 42.84. Indiana stands out with the highest employment among these states at 150 and an opportunity score of 36.51. At the metro level, St. Louis, MO-IL leads with an opportunity score of 46.90, median salary of $124,340, and employment of 100. Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN and Oklahoma City, OK both show mid-$80,000 median salaries and opportunity scores just above 40. San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR has an opportunity score of 26.40 and a lower median salary of $40,690, indicating a different compensation profile from the mainland metros listed.
Agricultural engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree, reflecting the technical and analytical demands of the role. This level of education aligns with the broad set of skills associated with the occupation. Key skill areas include science and mathematics, which underpin the analytical and quantitative aspects of the work. Computers and information technology are also important, supporting modern engineering and data-related tasks. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are central to addressing complex challenges. Mechanical skills contribute to understanding equipment and systems relevant to this field. Project management helps coordinate work and resources, while creativity and innovation support the development of new approaches and solutions. Strong writing and reading, plus speaking and listening skills, ensure effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders. For students or career changers planning education, focusing on these skill areas can help align academic choices with the expectations of agricultural engineering roles.
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