by our College Data Analytics TeamAgriculture mechanization refers to the technological advancements in farming that have helped decrease the amount of labor-intensive activities through the use of machinery.
While working towards this degree, you will learn everything there is to know about engines, combines, tractors, balers, and other mechanical devices used on farms. This major will expose you to the different technologies currently used in electric power and processing, water maintenance and irrigation, and building construction. You will learn to weld and draft along with how to build, repair, manage, and operate all types of farm equipment.
If you would like to concentrate on certain areas within Agriculture Mechanization, some schools offer specialties, such as Agricultural Power Machinery Operation and Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology.
In 2021-2022, agricultural mechanization was the 252nd most popular major nationwide with 1,376 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Agricultural Mechanization Schools ranking analyzes 16 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for agricultural mechanization students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ag mech programs later in this article.
A career in Agricultural Mechanization is best suited for those who enjoy equipment maintenance. You will spend most of your time ensuring the upkeep of tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems. Since agricultural technology is quickly advancing, knowledge of computers and operating systems is necessary. Attention to detail is a required skill because of the complexity of agricultural machines and farm operating systems. Someone considering this career should also be innovative and flexible so you can properly assess and fix any technological issues.
Unlike other agricultural careers, jobs in agricultural mechanization often hold a traditional 40-hour work week. This degree often leads to careers in management positions, so you must be prepared to coordinate, supervise, and manage others. Good customer service and communication skills are a must.
In order to learn more about the career, you might consider working a summer job, internship, or apprenticeship to gain experience. These experiences will give you the opportunity to work with skilled agricultural mechanics and learn about the use and upkeep of farming technology and machines.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ag mech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific ag mech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of ag mech degrees. You can get anything from a in agricultural mechanization to the highest ag mech degree, a . Different agricultural mechanization degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ag mech, with approximately 11.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to ag mech tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 37.7% |
| High School Diploma | 23.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 7.8% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in agricultural mechanization have received.
The education level required is different depending on the ag mech career you are seeking.
A degree in Agricultural Mechanization opens up the possibility of numerous careers within the agricultural field. Some people decide to open their own business while others go into product service and testing or service management. New inventions are constantly popping up within the agricultural industry causing a demand for people educated in agricultural mechanization. This is a field that is offering good opportunities to those with formal training.
Want a job when you graduate with your ag mech degree? Agricultural Mechanization careers are expected to grow 6.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agricultural mechanization.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 138,500 | 4.9% |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | 137,900 | 8.2% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | 67,400 | 5.5% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 45,700 | 7.5% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
Recently graduated agricultural mechanization students earned an average of $54,817 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $28,227 to as high as $73,053. As you might expect, salaries for ag mech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for agricultural mechanization graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ag mech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $65,230 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $53,370 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $42,190 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | $32,620 |
With over 140 different ag mech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ag mech school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Agriculture & Agriculture Operations area of study, Agricultural Mechanization has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology | 777 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 459 |
| Agricultural Power Machinery Operation | 115 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 25 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,951 |
| Animal Science | 8,178 |
| Agricultural Economics & Business | 8,140 |
| Horticulture | 3,591 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,468 |
Image Credit: By Alandmanson under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
