by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology explores Agricultural Mechanics And Equipment/machine Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Maintain And Repair Specialized Farm, Ranch, And Agribusiness Power Equipment And Vehicles. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Diesel, Combustion, Electrical, Steam, Hydraulic, And Mechanical Systems And Their Application To The Maintenance Of Terrestrial And Airborne Crop-Spraying Equipment; Tractors And Hauling Equipment; Planting And Harvesting Equipment; Cutting Equipment; Power Sources And Systems For Silos; Irrigation And Pumping Equipment; Dairy, Feeding, And Shearing Operations; And Processing Systems. Examples: [Agricultural Equipment Mechanic], [Agricultural Equipment Technician], [Agricultural Machinery Technician], [Farm Equipment Service Technician]. Continue reading for the essential details every agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology programs.
Across the country, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology is a popular field of study, with 751 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 152 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 373 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 226 |
People currently working in careers related to agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 61.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.5% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 654,564 | 11.7% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 211,822 | 9.4% |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | 67,931 | 3.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,065 |
| 4 years | $59,906 |
| 5 years | $65,945 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $56,998 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $39,180 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $33,324 |
With 37 different agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanization, General | 502 |
| Agricultural Power Machinery Operation | 94 |
| Agricultural Mechanization, Other | 31 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
