by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Agricultural Power Machinery Operation covers Agricultural Power Machinery Operation. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Operate Specialized Farm, Ranch, And Agribusiness Power Equipment Of A Stationary, Mobile, Or Hand-Operated Nature. Includes Instruction In Operating Specialized Equipment Such As Terrestrial And Airborne Crop-Spraying Equipment; Tractors And Hauling Equipment; Planting And Harvesting Equipment; Cutting Equipment; Power Sources And Systems For Silos, Irrigation, Pumping, And Applications Such As Dairy, Feeding And Shearing Operations; Processing Equipment; And Applicable Electrical, Mechanical, And Safety Principles. Examples: [Farm Equipment Operator]. Read on to learn the key facts every agricultural power machinery operation major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering agricultural power machinery operation programs.
Across the country, agricultural power machinery operation draws strong interest, with 94 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Agricultural Power Machinery Operation Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for agricultural power machinery operation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agricultural power machinery operation programs later in this article.
Programs in Agricultural Power Machinery Operation emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations agricultural power machinery operation graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a agricultural power machinery operation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a agricultural power machinery operation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several agricultural power machinery operation 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 | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 64 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to agricultural power machinery operation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 25.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 17.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.4% |
| Master’s degree | 6.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in agricultural power machinery operation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying agricultural power machinery operation can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to agricultural power machinery operation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agricultural power machinery operation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 211,822 | 9.4% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | 145,100 | 0.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of agricultural power machinery operation 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 power machinery operation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers agricultural power machinery operation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $33,324 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | $25,669 |
With 10 different agricultural power machinery operation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased agricultural power machinery operation school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in agricultural power machinery operation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician | 751 |
| Agricultural Mechanization, General | 502 |
| Agricultural Mechanization, Other | 31 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
