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.
- Schools offering
- 7
- Annual completions
- 81
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $67k
About this major
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 of specialized tracks: Farm Equipment Operator.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural equipment operators | $43k | +7.7% | No formal educational credential |
| Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians | $52k | +11.0% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary | $86k | +4.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$67k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$64k
Bachelor's
$69k
Top colleges for Agricultural Power Machinery Operation
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute | Wooster, OH | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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