Agricultural Engineering Careers
Agricultural engineers focus their attention on the design, construction and improvement of farming machinery. Integrating technology with farming, agricultural engineers design new or improved farming equipment that will perform new tasks or work more efficiently.
While it is possible to cultivate a specialty, most agricultural engineers are involved in the similar core duties. Designing and testing agricultural equipment. machinery, parts, food storage structures, food processing plants, and housing and environments for livestock are all typical activities of an agricultural engineer.
Agricultural Engineering Career Snapshot
Agricultural engineers can work both indoors and outdoors, in both laboratories and classrooms. They are often employed by the federal government, engineering contracting or consolation services, or agricultural machinery manufacturers. Travel is often involved as visiting inspection sites is a routine part of the job, yet hours are typically 9-5, Monday-Friday.
Further details on a career as an agricultural engineer are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for agricultural engineers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree while 4% have a Master’s degree.
Agricultural Engineering Education
In order to become an agricultural engineer, you first must obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering that has been accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. Most states also require specialized licensure, which can be obtained by passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors exam. Some states also offer certification and in all cases agricultural engineers must have supervised experience before they are able to take on their own projects. Master’s degrees are available to complement undergraduate training.
Agricultural Engineering Job Outlook
From 2014 to 2024, the job outlook of agricultural engineers is projected to grow by 4 percent. This projected growth rate has remained steady for awhile, as the demand for farming efficiency is continuously growing.
Agricultural Engineering Salaries
The average salary for an agricultural engineer is $75,090 according to May 2015 BLS.gov statistics, with the lowest ten percent earning $47,490 and the highest ten percent earning $116,830. Those with a master’s degree and/or more experience can expect a higher salary.
Agricultural Engineering Job Duties
Making farms sustainable, friendly and safe is the main duty of an agricultural engineer. Specific duties include analyzing agricultural operations, determining the use of new technologies and methods to increase yields and promote land use, and recommending strategies to protect the health and safety of workers, animals and products.
Agricultural Engineering Skills & Traits
| Agricultural Engineering Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Agricultural Engineering: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Critical Thinking • Complex Problem Solving • Reading Comprehension • Writing • Active Listening | • Inductive Reasoning • Oral Comprehension • Written Comprehension • Deductive Reasoning • Oral Expression | • Desktop/notebook computers • Personal digital assistants PDA • Plotter printers • Total stations • CAD software | • Decision Making • Drafting • Getting Information • Working with Computers • Analyzing Data |
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