Also called: Biological Systems Engineer, Ag Engineer
Solves farming problems with engineering: machines, irrigation, barns, crop storage and soil and water conservation.
You visit a dairy farm that wants to turn manure into electricity. You measure the barns, size a digester tank and a gas engine, then meet the farmer at the kitchen table to walk through costs.
BLS May 2024 median $84,630; percentiles approximate.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in agricultural or biological engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Agricultural Engineering, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Biosystems Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 projection; only about 1,700 jobs nationwide, though many ag engineers work under other titles.
Low risk for 10 years. AI and sensors help farms run smarter; designing machines, barns and water systems on real farms stays hands-on.
Classes: Physics, Biology, Agriculture CTE, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2021.
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