Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
SOC code 49-3041 · O*NET-SOC 49-3041.00 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$56,550
a year
Hourly
$27.19
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$57,290
$27.54 per hour
Middle 50%
$46,450 – $65,580
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,470 – $78,740
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
37,870
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,470
- $18.01/hr
- 25th percentile
- $46,450
- $22.33/hr
- Median percentile
- $56,550
- $27.19/hr
- 75th percentile
- $65,580
- $31.53/hr
- 90th percentile
- $78,740
- $37.86/hr
What do farm equipment mechanics and service technicians do?
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
- Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- 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.
- Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
- Clean and lubricate parts.
- Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
- Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate52%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3%
- Some College Courses2%
Common questions
How much does a farm equipment mechanics and service technicians earn?
The national median is $56,550 a year. The full range runs from $37,470 at the 10th percentile to $78,740 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a farm equipment mechanics and service technicians without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Engineering and Technology3.5/5
- Physics3.4/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring.