Agricultural Engineer
Agricultural engineers are professionals who focus on enhancing agricultural practices through scientific and engineering principles. They work in various domains, such as machinery design, crop production, and environmental management, aiming to increase efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. With a median yearly salary of approximately $88,750, agricultural engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree in agricultural or biological engineering and often have a background in related sciences and mathematics.
The work environment for agricultural engineers can vary significantly based on their specialization. Some may conduct research in laboratories, while others are involved in fieldwork, office settings, or even factory oversight. The field is collaborative, with engineers frequently teaming up with colleagues from various disciplines to address agricultural challenges. Daily responsibilities can include designing heavy machinery, improving crop yield methods, or developing innovative solutions to manage agricultural waste.
Education is crucial for aspiring agricultural engineers, who should focus on relevant coursework and gain practical experience through internships or fieldwork. This diversity in roles not only enhances the agricultural sector but also opens avenues for individuals with interests in mechanical engineering, environmental science, and plant biology.
Agricultural Engineer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Plant biology, mechanical engineering, environmental studies, chemistry, agricultural science
Earnings (Yearly Median): $88,750 per year $42.67 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 6% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Agricultural engineers work to improve the efficiency and efficacy of agricultural practice through scientific innovations in areas such as machinery, crop production, and power systems. Since many agricultural engineers specialize in different areas, they often collaborate with other agricultural engineers to solve the community's problems.
Work Environment. Agricultural engineers work in a variety of environments, depending on their specialization. Some may do biological research in laboratories, while others may work in offices to improve methods of produce transportation or design heavy machinery, oversee processes in a plant or factory, or test new developments in the field.
Occupation Interest. Agricultural engineering is an ideal job for someone interested in science and agricultural production. The diversity of available jobs allows agricultural engineers to pursue very specialized areas of interest, meaning that someone with a preference for mechanical engineering could work on heavy machinery, while someone interested in plant biology could work toward improving the health of crops and soil.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Agricultural engineers working on mechanical issues spend much time designing and testing heavy-duty machinery to improve efficiency. They might work for a company such as John Deere, building large machines for agricultural uses such as threshing and plowing. Other agricultural engineers might be more appropriately called biological engineers since they use their knowledge of plant and animal biology to develop better methods of maintaining healthy livestock and crops and may work to improve crop yields or find alternative uses for agricultural waste products.
Alternatively, they may work in a related capacity, conducting research and working on sales or marketing issues for a company whose focus is agricultural engineering. The field of agricultural engineering is ultimately a collaborative one, with engineers often working together to create solutions that will be enacted by farmers and laborers whom they will never meet.
Agricultural Equipment Design Engineers (013.061-018). Agricultural equipment design engineers design agricultural machinery and equipment.
Agricultural Equipment Test Engineers (013.060-022). Agricultural equipment test engineers test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure proper function and durability.
Equipment Sales Engineers (013.151-010). Agricultural equipment sales engineers sell agricultural equipment and machinery and provide technical services to clients.
Agricultural Engineering Technicians (013.161-010). Agricultural engineering technicians prepare the original layouts and complete detailed drawings of agricultural machinery and equipment, such as farm machinery, irrigation, power and electrification systems, soil and water conservation equipment, agricultural harvesting, and processing equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Agricultural engineers work in a variety of physical settings depending on their specialization. Laboratory and office settings are most common, although outdoor work may also be required. When performing fieldwork, they may be exposed to difficult weather conditions and hazards such as pesticides and should take necessary precautions.
Human Environment. Due to the variety of specializations within the field, agricultural engineers can expect to work collaboratively with other engineers. They also interact with coworkers, supervisors, and, occasionally, the agricultural professionals who will benefit from their work.
Technological Environment. Agricultural engineers specializing in power and design often work with large machinery and heavy equipment. Others may work more in laboratories or offices, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, office suites, and graphics imaging programs. Some may help in developing precision farming by researching and developing practices using devices that wirelessly monitor soil moisture. Artificial intelligence (AI) may be applied to automate tasks such as harvesting crops.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Aspiring agricultural engineers should take mathematics classes such as algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics and science classes such as physics, biology, and chemistry. They should also try to gain experience working in the agricultural industry in whatever subfield of agricultural engineering interests them, such as mechanical engineering or plant biology. Even working as a laborer on a farm could be helpful and informative.
Postsecondary. College students interested in becoming agricultural engineers should expect to major in agricultural or biological engineering, which will entail environmental sciences, biology, mathematics, and mechanical engineering courses. While in college, students should pursue internships in one or more professions where their degree will be applicable. At this point, students should seek whatever job experience they can find, even if it does not directly relate to what they hope to pursue, since the nature of agricultural engineering involves the work of many people who make the agriculture industry run smoothly on various levels.
Related Occupations
− Botanist
− Environmental Science Technician
− Farm & Home Management Advisor
− Forester & Conservation Scientist
Bibliography
“Agricultural Engineers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/agricultural-engineers.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
Marsh, Jane. "What Is an Agricultural Engineer and Why Do They Matter?" AgriLinks, 21 Feb. 2024, agrilinks.org/post/what-agricultural-engineer-and-why-do-they-matter. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 17-2021 Agricultural Engineers.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/CURRENT/oes172021.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.