Summary Report for:
45-2091.00 - Agricultural Equipment Operators
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
Sample of reported job titles: Baler Operator, Cutter Operator, Equipment Operator, Farm Equipment Operator, Hay Baler, Loader Operator, Packing Tractor Machine Operator, Rake Operator, Sprayer, Windrower Operator
Tasks | Technology Skills | | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks 5 of 17 displayed All 17 displayed Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
Weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.
Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants in planter mechanisms at specified intervals.
Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
Guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products.
Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.
Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps. Find occupations related to multiple tasks
back to top Technology Skills All 5 displayed All 5 displayed Data base user interface and query software — Martens Farms Farm Trac; Microsoft Access
— Martens Farms Farm Trac; Microsoft Access Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Farm Management Software Hay and Crop Manager
— Farm Management Software Hay and Crop Manager Map creation software — Martens Farms Farm Site Mate
— Martens Farms Farm Site Mate Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
— Microsoft PowerPoint Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
back to top Knowledge All 1 displayed All 1 displayed English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
back to top Skills 5 of 7 displayed All 7 displayed Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
— Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Operations Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
— Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
— Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
— Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
— Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
— Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
back to top Abilities 5 of 22 displayed All 22 displayed Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
— The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
— The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
— The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
— The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
— The ability to see details at a distance. Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
— The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
— The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
— The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Rate Control — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
— The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
— The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. Response Orientation — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
— The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
— The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
— The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
— The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
— The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
— The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
— The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing. Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
— The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
— The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs. Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
— The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
— The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
back to top Work Activities 5 of 23 displayed All 23 displayed Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
— Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
— Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
— Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
— Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
— Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
— Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
— Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
— Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
— Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
— Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
— Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
— Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
— Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
— Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
— Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
— Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
— Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
— Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
— Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
— Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
— Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
— Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
back to top Detailed Work Activities 5 of 15 displayed All 15 displayed Load agricultural or forestry products for shipment.
Prepare materials or solutions for animal or plant use.
Apply chemical solutions to plants to protect against disease or insects or to enhance growth.
Inspect equipment or facilities to determine condition or maintenance needs.
Operate farming equipment.
Load materials into equipment for processing.
Direct activities of agricultural, forestry, or fishery employees.
Maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment.
Confer with managers to make operational decisions.
Measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products.
Plant crops, trees, or other plants.
Record agricultural or forestry inventory data.
Operate conveyors or other industrial material moving equipment.
Attach equipment extensions or accessories.
Operate irrigation systems. Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
back to top Work Context 5 of 23 displayed All 23 displayed Duration of Typical Work Week — 84% responded “More than 40 hours.”
— 84% responded “More than 40 hours.” Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 66% responded “Every day.”
— 66% responded “Every day.” Face-to-Face Discussions — 71% responded “Every day.”
— 71% responded “Every day.” In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 27% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
— 27% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.” Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 58% responded “Every day.”
— 58% responded “Every day.” Structured versus Unstructured Work — 63% responded “Some freedom.”
— 63% responded “Some freedom.” Work With Work Group or Team — 30% responded “Very important.”
— 30% responded “Very important.” Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 49% responded “Important.”
— 49% responded “Important.” Contact With Others — 40% responded “Constant contact with others.”
— 40% responded “Constant contact with others.” In an Open Vehicle or Equipment — 51% responded “Every day.”
— 51% responded “Every day.” Exposed to Contaminants — 31% responded “Every day.”
— 31% responded “Every day.” Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment — 51% responded “Very important.”
— 51% responded “Very important.” Telephone — 59% responded “Every day.”
— 59% responded “Every day.” Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 15% responded “More than half the time.”
— 15% responded “More than half the time.” Time Pressure — 68% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
— 68% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.” Freedom to Make Decisions — 28% responded “Very little freedom.”
— 28% responded “Very little freedom.” Outdoors, Under Cover — 36% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
— 36% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.” Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 36% responded “No responsibility.”
— 36% responded “No responsibility.” Spend Time Sitting
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 27% responded “Every day.”
— 27% responded “Every day.” Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 43% responded “Important results.”
— 43% responded “Important results.” Level of Competition — 68% responded “Moderately competitive.”
— 68% responded “Moderately competitive.” Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 39% responded “Very high responsibility.”
back to top Job Zone Title Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed Education Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Related Experience Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before. Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job. Job Zone Examples These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include food preparation workers, dishwashers, sewing machine operators, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, and baristas. SVP Range (Below 4.0)
back to top Education
Percentage of Respondents Education Level Required 57 Less than high school diploma 19 High school diploma or equivalent 14 Post-secondary certificate
back to top Credentials
back to top Interests All 1 displayed All 1 displayed Interest code: R Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move. Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
back to top Work Styles 5 of 16 displayed All 16 displayed Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
— Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
— Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
— Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
— Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
— Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
— Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
— Job requires being honest and ethical. Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
— Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
— Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
— Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
— Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
— Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
— Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
— Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
— Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
back to top Work Values All 3 displayed All 3 displayed Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
— Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
— Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
back to top Wages & Employment Trends Median wages (2020) $15.75 hourly, $32,750 annual State wages Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Local wages ZIP Code: Employment (2020) 65,000 employees Projected growth (2020-2030) Faster than average (10% to 15%) Projected job openings (2020-2030) 11,700 State trends Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Top industries (2020) Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting Wholesale Trade Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data and 2020-2030 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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