Agricultural equipment operators
SOC Code: 45-2091
Agricultural equipment operators carries a 16% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $42,580 and +7.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 65,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Agricultural equipment operators (SOC 45-2091) carries an AI exposure score of 16%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 65,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +7.7% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $42,580, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Agricultural equipment operators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
- 2. Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
- 3. Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
- 4. Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
- 5. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
- 6. Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
- 7. Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
- 8. Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
- 9. Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
- 10. Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Active Listening
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Quality Control Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Law and Government
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Agricultural equipment operators?
Agricultural equipment operators has an AI exposure score of 16%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural equipment operators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Agricultural equipment operators is projected to grow by 7.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 65,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Agricultural equipment operators?
Key skills for Agricultural equipment operators include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Agricultural equipment operators earn?
The median annual wage for Agricultural equipment operators is $42,580, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Agricultural equipment operators?
The typical entry-level education for Agricultural equipment operators is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Agricultural equipment operators?
Agricultural equipment operators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).