Farm Equipment Mechanic

Also called: Ag Technician

Repairs tractors, combines, and high-tech farm machines.

A day in the life

During harvest you drive to a farm to fix a combine's broken belt in the field, then update the GPS software on a planter.

Pay over a career

Starting

$36k

Typical

$50k

High

$72k

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Ag mechanics or diesel program.

Ways in: Trade school, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Agricultural Mechanics, Diesel Technology.

Outlook

Growing about average. No separate BLS projection for this specialty; rating is an estimate based on industry trends.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Self-driving tractors still break down; repairing high-tech farm machines in the field stays hands-on.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Ag mechanics, Diesel CTE, Welding.

• Join FFA and compete in the Ag Technology & Mechanical Systems CDE
• Help repair equipment on a family or neighbor's farm
• Part-time job at a farm equipment dealer

Official data: O*NET occupation 49-3041.

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Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.