Occupation Summary

Agricultural Engineers

O*NET 17-2021.00

Description:

Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

Annual Wages:
$111,047.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 13.73%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
  2. Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
  3. Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
  4. Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
  5. Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
  6. Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
  7. Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
  8. Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.
  9. Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
  10. Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
  11. Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems.
  12. Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
  13. Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
  14. Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Agricultural Engineers employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 14.7 0.00
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 5.6 0.00


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $53.39
2023 National average hourly wage $44.95
2022 National employment 1,600
2022 Texas employment 51
Texas projected employment by 2032 58
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 4




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
97.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
90.00%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
87.00%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
85.00%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
85.00%
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
82.00%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
78.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
77.00%
Food Production
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
72.60%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
72.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
80.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
77.60%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
77.60%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
77.60%
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
77.60%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
75.00%
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
75.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
77.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
75.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
75.00%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
72.40%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information
    -- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Working Conditions
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Plotter printers: Plotters;

Theodolites: Total stations;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: SAS;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Computer aided design CAD software: PTC Creo Parametric; PTC Pro/Pipe; Autodesk AutoCAD; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks; Eagle Point LANDCADD;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access; Oracle Database;

Desktop publishing software: Adobe InDesign;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software; Enterprise resource planning ERP software;

Geographic information system: ESRI ArcView;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop;

Industrial control software: Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Object or component oriented development software: Oracle Java;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Microsoft Project;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Agricultural Engineers include:
  • 11-3051.03 Biofuels Production Managers
  • 11-9041.01 Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
  • 19-1031.00 Conservation Scientists
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 11-9013.00 Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
  • 19-2041.03 Industrial Ecologists
  • 17-2112.00 Industrial Engineers
  • 19-4012.01 Precision Agriculture Technicians
  • 19-1013.00 Soil and Plant Scientists
  • 17-2051.02 Water/Wastewater Engineers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about agricultural engineers, visit: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
  • For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit: American Society for Engineering Education
  • Technology Student Association
  • For more information about licensure for agricultural engineers, visit: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
  • For information about accredited engineering programs, visit: ABET
  • For a variety of information concerning agriculture, grants, and government initiatives, visit: Future Farmers of America
  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Agricultural Engineers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.