Career Trends: Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies, the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.

Agricultural engineers work in a variety of industries. Some work for the federal government, and others provide engineering contracting or consultation services, or work for agricultural machinery manufacturers. Although they work mostly in offices, they also may spend time traveling to agricultural settings.

Agricultural engineers must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in agricultural engineering or biological engineering.

Employment of agricultural engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. The need to increase the efficiency of agricultural production systems and to reduce environmental damage should maintain demand for these workers.  

This occupation supported 2,600 jobs in 2012 and 2,900 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 11.5%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 3.8% in 2022 to 2,700 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 2,600, compared with an observed value of 2,900, 11.5% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 3.8% in 2024 to 3,000 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 2,700 jobs for 2024, 10.0% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.