Agricultural Machinery Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for careers in modern agricultural operations, this program equips students with the technical expertise to service, maintain, and repair advanced power equipment used across farms, ranches, and agribusiness facilities. Emphasis is placed on mastering the complex systems that drive agricultural productivity, ensuring reliable performance in diverse field and processing environments.
- Diesel and Combustion Systems: Explore the design, operation, and troubleshooting of high-efficiency diesel engines commonly found in tractors, harvesters, and transport vehicles.
- Electrical and Electronic Systems: Develop proficiency in diagnosing and repairing sophisticated electrical circuits, sensors, and control modules integral to modern farm machinery.
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems: Learn how pressurized fluid and air systems enable precise control of implements, lifts, and automated functions in agricultural equipment.
- Mechanical Power Transmission: Study drivetrains, gear systems, and power transfer mechanisms that connect engines to working components across heavy-duty machinery.
- Terrestrial and Aerial Crop-Spraying Equipment: Gain hands-on experience with both ground-based sprayers and airborne application systems used in precision agriculture.
- Tractors and Hauling Systems: Understand the maintenance, performance tuning, and safety protocols for heavy-duty tractors and transport vehicles used in field logistics.
- Planting and Harvesting Machinery: Focus on the operation and repair of complex mechanized systems designed for seeding, cultivating, and harvesting crops efficiently.
- Material Handling and Cutting Equipment: Address maintenance needs for balers, choppers, mowers, and other tools used in forage and crop processing.
- Power Systems for Silos and Storage: Examine the mechanical and electrical infrastructure that supports grain storage, aeration, and automated feeding systems.
- Irrigation and Pumping Systems: Learn to maintain and optimize water distribution networks, pumps, and control systems critical for sustainable crop production.
- Dairy, Feeding, and Shearing Operations: Study specialized equipment used in livestock management, including automated feed systems and animal handling machinery.
- Processing and On-Farm Systems: Investigate the mechanical and control systems used in grain cleaning, drying, and other post-harvest processing operations.
Agricultural Machinery Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Machinery Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Machinery Technology degrees, including Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines 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 353,540 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians 49-3011 | $78,680 | $47,790 - $120,080 | 136,390 | $37.83 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines 49-3042 | $63,980 | $45,450 - $92,360 | 180,270 | $30.76 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians 49-3041 | $52,080 | $36,920 - $76,860 | 36,880 | $25.04 |
Agricultural Machinery Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,927 in West Virginia to $82,870 in Alaska—a 84% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 353,540 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 Machinery Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Agricultural Machinery Technology 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 Machinery Technology is found at Reedley College (169 graduates), Southeast Community College Area (SCC) (79 graduates), University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) (73 graduates), Merced College (58 graduates), and Shasta College (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 751 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reedley College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
169 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
79 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
73 | Lima, Ohio | Private | unoh.edu |
| Merced College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
58 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Shasta College |
Other Award
|
31 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) |
Associate's
|
27 | Wahpeton, North Dakota | Public | ndscs.edu |
| Perry Technical Institute (Perry Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Yakima, Washington | Private | perrytech.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Illinois Central College (ICC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | East Peoria, Illinois | Public | icc.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
20 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Associate's
|
20 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| Spoon River College (SRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Canton, Illinois | Public | src.edu |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
18 | Fennimore, Wisconsin | Public | swtc.edu |
| Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Fort Scott, Kansas | Public | fortscott.edu |
| Garden City Community College (GCCC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Garden City, Kansas | Public | gcccks.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Hutchinson, Kansas | Public | hutchcc.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) |
Associate's
|
8 | Beloit, Kansas | Public | ncktc.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
7 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) |
Other Award
|
5 | Helena, Arkansas | Public | pccua.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
4 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Pratt Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pratt, Kansas | Public | prattcc.edu |
| James A. Rhodes State College |
Associate's
|
3 | Lima, Ohio | Public | rhodesstate.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Centreville, Michigan | Public | glenoaks.edu |
| Montana State University |
Associate's
|
2 | Havre, Montana | Public | msun.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
2 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
2 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Other Award
|
1 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Wilkes Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wilkesboro, North Carolina | Public | wilkescc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Machinery Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Machinery Technology degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Machinery Technology graduates vary by role and location. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians earn a median of $78,680 annually, while Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines earn around $63,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $82,870 compared to $44,927 in West Virginia. Approximately 353,540 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 Machinery Technology programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Machinery Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Reedley College (169 graduates), Southeast Community College Area (SCC) (79 graduates), and University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) (73 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 Machinery Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 388 in 2010 to a peak of 925 in 2020, before declining slightly to 751 in 2023-24. This represents a 94% 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 Machinery Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, and Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 353,540 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.
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