Career Explorer Engineering and architecture
Grows with AI
Agricultural engineers
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.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 66% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.9% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $98,590
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.9%
- Openings a year
- 100
- People doing it (2025)
- 1,500
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Document technical designs, procedures, or activities
- Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications
- Coordinate with others to resolve problems
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Prepare proposals or grant applications
- Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities
- Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations
What the work looks like
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as public and private investment in the research and development of agricultural equipment and production methods that will help mitigate the risk and damage of environmental hazards such as floods or droughts on agricultural production increases demand for these engineers.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Museum technicians and conservatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 71, +3.6%
- Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGrows with AI, Index 77, +11.9%
- Preschool teachers, except special educationHuman edge, growing, Index 83, +4.5%
- Coaches and scoutsHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
Also known as: Agricultural Engineer, Engineer, Project Engineer, Research Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Conservation Engineer, Field Engineer, Product Engineer.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.