Agricultural Mechanization: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with the technical expertise and practical knowledge needed to support modern agricultural operations through advanced machinery, systems integration, and infrastructure management. Graduates gain the skills to evaluate, maintain, and optimize agricultural equipment and technological solutions across diverse agribusiness environments.
- Agricultural Power Systems: Study of engine performance, fuel efficiency, and power transmission technologies used in tractors, harvesters, and other heavy machinery.
- Support Facility Design: Instruction in selecting and applying construction materials and engineering principles for durable, efficient farm infrastructure such as storage units, workshops, and barns.
- Irriation and Water Management: Exploration of mechanical and automated systems that ensure efficient water delivery, minimize waste, and support sustainable crop production.
- Erosion Control Technologies: Training in mechanical and structural methods to prevent soil degradation, including contour farming equipment and sediment barriers.
- Agricultural Data Processing Systems: Hands-on experience with digital tools, sensors, and software platforms that collect, analyze, and interpret field data for precision farming decisions.
Agricultural Mechanization Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Mechanization Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Mechanization degrees, including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 45,580 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians 49-3041 | $52,080 | $36,920 - $76,860 | 36,880 | $25.04 |
Agricultural Mechanization Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,710 in Hawaii to $90,775 in Michigan—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, Maryland, and North Dakota. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 45,580 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Agricultural Mechanization by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 31 institutions offering Agricultural Mechanization programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Agricultural Mechanization is found at Navarro College (84 graduates), Iowa State University (ISU) (39 graduates), Rend Lake College (RLC) (38 graduates), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (30 graduates), and Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 502 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navarro College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
84 | Corsicana, Texas | Public | navarrocollege.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
38 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
23 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
18 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
17 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Senatobia, Mississippi | Public | northwestms.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) |
Associate's
|
11 | Linn, Missouri | Public | statetechmo.edu |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Tifton, Georgia | Public | abac.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| John Wood Community College (JWCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Quincy, Illinois | Public | jwcc.edu |
| Three Rivers College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Poplar Bluff, Missouri | Public | trcc.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| Moberly Area Community College (MACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Moberly, Missouri | Public | macc.edu |
| Ranken Technical College |
Associate's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | ranken.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wahpeton, North Dakota | Public | ndscs.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Mechanization programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Mechanization degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Mechanization graduates vary by role and location. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,350 annually, while Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians earn around $52,080. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $90,775 compared to $48,710 in Hawaii. Approximately 45,580 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Agricultural Mechanization programs?
Currently 31 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Mechanization degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Navarro College (84 graduates), Iowa State University (ISU) (39 graduates), and Rend Lake College (RLC) (38 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Agricultural Mechanization growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 377 in 2010 to 502 in 2023-24. This represents a 33% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Agricultural Mechanization degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 45,580 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Agriculture Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Agriculture field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Dairy Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of dairy animals and the production...
Livestock Management
A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of livestock animals and the production...
Poultry Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals and the production...
Animal Sciences
Any instructional program in the animal sciences not listed above.
Food Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of converting raw agricultural products into processed...
Food Technology and Processing
A program that focuses on the application of chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the development and implementation of manufacturing, packaging, storage, and...