The median pay for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians is $56,550 a year ($27.19/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 10.7% through 2035, with about 3,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-3041
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $56,550a year, or $27.19/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $79K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +10.7%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+10.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +10.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,70041,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202541.9K
- Projected 203546.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 41.9K Projected 2035 46.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school0.5%
- High school43.3%
- Certificate51.5%
- Some college1.7%
- Associate's3%
Highest education held by farm equipment mechanics and service technicians Segment Value Less than high school 0.5% High school 43.3% Certificate 51.5% Some college 1.7% Associate's 3%
Also advertised as: Agricultural Mechanic (Ag Mechanic), Agricultural Service Technician (Ag Service Tech), Dairy Service Technician (Dairy Service Tech), Farm Equipment Mechanic, Farm Equipment Service Technician (Farm Equipment Service Tech), Field Mechanic.
Pay
How much do Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians make?
Every farm equipment mechanic and service technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$56,550
Middle half earn $46,450 to $65,580
- 10th
- $37,470
- 25th
- $46,450
- 75th
- $65,580
- 90th
- $78,740
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,470 |
| 25th | $46,450 |
| Median | $56,550 |
| 75th | $65,580 |
| 90th | $78,740 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $56,550
- Median hourly wage
- $27.19/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $57,290
- People employed
- 37,870
Versus all US occupations
At $56,550, Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians earn 11% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,570 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 8% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $78,740 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,470, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 28% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Nevada posts the highest raw median ($65,250), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $70,853 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Nevada | $65,250 | $65,264 | 70 |
| 2North Dakota | $63,030 | $70,853 | 770 |
| 3New Jersey | $62,300 | $57,258 | 260 |
| 4South Dakota | $62,140 | $70,147 | 820 |
| 5Delaware | $61,850 | $61,969 | 70 |
| 6Montana | $61,710 | $65,202 | 400 |
| 7Washington | $61,370 | $57,348 | 1,120 |
| 8Wyoming | $60,880 | $65,681 | 90 |
| 9Oregon | $60,830 | $58,852 | 660 |
| 10Indiana | $60,460 | $64,782 | 1,200 |
Job outlook
Is Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +10.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | +10.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians to change 10.7% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 4,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,700 openings are projected each year, 8.8% of the 41,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians varies by occupation (see table).
As the stock of heavy vehicles and mobile equipment continues to increase, more service technicians are expected to be needed to maintain it.
Getting in
How to become a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician
Most heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians have a high school diploma or equivalent. Because vehicle and equipment technology is increasingly sophisticated and computerized, some employers prefer to hire service technicians who have completed a formal training program at a postsecondary institution.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as farm equipment mechanics and service technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate51.5%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3%
- Some College Courses1.7%
- Less than a High School Diploma0.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 51.5% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 43.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 3% |
| Some College Courses | 1.7% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician do?
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, also called mechanics, inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.
Day-to-day tasks
- Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
- Clean and lubricate parts.
- Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
- Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
- Record details of repairs made and parts used.
- Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
- Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians work full time, and many work evenings or weekends. Overtime is common.
Farm equipment mechanics’ work varies by time of the year. During busy planting and harvesting seasons, for example, mechanics often work six or seven 12-hour days per week. In the winter months, however, they may work less than full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Writing2.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Equipment Maintenance4.3
- Repairing4.3
- Troubleshooting4.0
- Operation and Control3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Equipment Selection3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 4.3 |
| Repairing | 4.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Facilities management software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative3.0
- Social1.3
- Enterprising1.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Except Engines
$65,510median a year
Most earn $47K to $94K
+6.7%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic
$47,880median a year
Most earn $35K to $67K
+2.3%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
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Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairer
$56,210median a year
Most earn $37K to $85K
+4.4%High school
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with farm equipment mechanics and service technicians highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician$56,550
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician | $56,550 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician appears on
Questions
Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians make?
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians earn a median of $56,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.19/hr. The middle half earn between $46,450 and $65,580. The top 10% earn $78,740 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 51.5% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 10.7% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician do?
Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, also called mechanics, inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries. A core O*NET task: reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians are Nevada ($65,250), North Dakota ($63,030), New Jersey ($62,300) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $70,853.
What personality type suits a Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician?
O*NET scores Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.