Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
SOC Code: 49-3041
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians carries a 13% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $52,080 and +11.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 39,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 13% AI exposure, Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians sits 24 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 1% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians has ai exposure of 13%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3041) carries an AI exposure score of 13%, 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 39,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +11.0% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $52,080, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, 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 Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians. 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. Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
- 2. Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- 3. Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
- 4. Record details of repairs made and parts used.
- 5. Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
- 6. Clean and lubricate parts.
- 7. Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
- 8. Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
- 9. Tune or overhaul engines.
- 10. Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.
Key Skills Required
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Equipment Selection
- Active Listening
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians?
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians has an AI exposure score of 13%, 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 Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians is projected to grow by 11.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 39,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians?
Key skills for Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians include Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians is $52,080, 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 Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians?
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians 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).