Agricultural machinery technician
Also known as: agricultural machinery mechanic, farm equipment technician, agricultural systems technician, agricultural conservation technician, agricultural technician, agricultural landscape technician
About this occupation
Agricultural equipment technicians repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment. They perform evaluations of the equipment, perform preventive maintenance activities and repair faults.
A specialisation of land-based machinery technician.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use testing equipment
- perform machine maintenance
- agricultural equipment
- conduct routine machinery checks
- operate soldering equipment
- perform test run
- operate welding equipment
- perform maintenance on installed equipment
- maintain agricultural machinery
- resolve equipment malfunctions
- record test data
- consult technical resources
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Agricultural Technicians (O*NET 19-4012.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- Collect animal or crop samples.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Writing, Active Learning, Monitoring
US median pay: US$49,630 a year (2025), 15,130 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionVery important (3.6)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Agricultural Engineers
- Biological Technicians
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.