Agricultural Equipment Operators

SOC Code: 45-2091

Agricultural Equipment Operatorss load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 93.6/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.

AI-Proof Score: 93.6Very High
💰

Median Salary

$42,580

📈

Job Growth

7.7%

⏱️

Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

🎓

Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

💵

Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting
  • Active Listening
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Repairing

Common Tasks

  • 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.

Why AI-Proof?

  • Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • Social and regulatory barriers to full automation
Agricultural Equipment Operators — AI-Proof Careers