Agricultural engineers design and improve the machines, equipment, and systems that farms and food production facilities rely on. It is technical, problem-focused work that requires a bachelor's degree and strong skills in math and science.
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Agricultural engineers apply engineering principles to solve problems in farming and food production. You analyze data, design equipment and systems, and work with computers to model solutions. Your work draws on knowledge of engineering, physics, mathematics, and biology. You stay current with new technologies, read technical materials, listen to stakeholders, and write reports and specifications. You monitor systems to ensure they perform as intended. The role sits at the intersection of agriculture and technology, helping farms operate more efficiently.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Agricultural Engineers earn a median of $98,590 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 100 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering or a closely related engineering field. This is a considerable preparation level that includes coursework in engineering and technology, design, physics, mathematics, and biology. During your degree, you will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and applied mathematics and science. Internships and hands-on projects during your studies help you build practical experience before entering the field.
The main route is a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering or a related field. The timeline and specific program fit depend on your background and goals, so if you are mapping out your path, Pathly can map the agricultural engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right fit.
Many agricultural engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to realistic, hands-on problem-solving. You enjoy working with data and technology to design practical solutions. You think systematically and like to see how things work.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).