Agricultural Equipment Operator

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  Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

Agricultural Equipment Operator

What they do

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.

Also Called: Baler Operator, Cutter Operator, Equipment Operator, Farm Equipment Operator, Hay Baler, Loader Operator, Packing Tractor Machine Operator, Rake Operator, Sprayer, Windrower Operator, Baler Operator, Cutter Operator, Equipment Operator, Farm Equipment Operator, Hay Baler, Loader Operator, Packing Tractor Machine Operator, Rake Operator, Sprayer, Windrower Operator

$30,050
Starting Salary (2023)
$39,690
Median Salary (2023)
8.6%
Projected Job Growth
28,910
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Persistence
Dependability
Cooperation
Attention to Detail
Independence
Initiative

What key skills are needed for this job?

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Quality Control Analysis
Equipment Maintenance

Expected Knowledge

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Common Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
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.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

More Info

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