by our College Data Analytics TeamAgricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology was the 679th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 687 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 34.6% reduction in agricultural mechanics degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 925.
This year's Best Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools ranking compares 4 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agricultural mechanics programs later in this article.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to agricultural mechanics. Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed and determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic agricultural mechanics and equipment/machine technology program qualifications, to serve in some agricultural mechanics careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different agricultural mechanics degree levels. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest agricultural mechanics degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common agricultural mechanics degree levels is shown below.
| 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 |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to agricultural mechanics, with approximately 12.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to agricultural mechanics tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 50.3% |
| High School Diploma | 28.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.4% |
| Some College Courses | 5.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.5% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in agricultural mechanics and equipment/machine technology have received.
This of course varies depending on which agricultural mechanics career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your agricultural mechanics degree? Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology careers are expected to grow 6.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agricultural mechanics and equipment/machine technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 138,500 | 4.9% |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | 137,900 | 8.2% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 45,700 | 7.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for agricultural mechanics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for agricultural mechanics and equipment/machine technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers agricultural mechanics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $65,230 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $53,370 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $42,190 |
With over 62 different agricultural mechanics 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 agricultural mechanics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Agricultural Mechanization area of study, Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanization | 448 |
| Agricultural Power Machinery Operation | 113 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 32 |
Image Credit: By Alandmanson under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
