Best institutions to study Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to maintain and repair specialized farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles.
44 U.S. institutions graduated 866 Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0205, a specialization of Agricultural Mechanization (CIP 01.02), and leads most directly to the Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 49-3041).
About Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to maintain and repair specialized farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles. Includes instruction in the principles of diesel, combustion, electrical, steam, hydraulic, and mechanical systems and their application to the maintenance of terrestrial and airborne crop-spraying equipment; tractors and hauling equipment; planting and harvesting equipment; cutting equipment; power sources and systems for silos; irrigation and pumping equipment; dairy, feeding, and shearing operations; and processing systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician program, part of the Agricultural Mechanization field, prepares students to maintain and repair specialized farm and agribusiness equipment. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hands-on work with machinery and vehicles used in agriculture, ranching, and related industries.
Students in this program gain knowledge in mechanical systems, including diesel, electrical, and hydraulic technologies. Coursework covers the maintenance of various agricultural equipment, such as tractors and irrigation systems, equipping students with essential skills for diagnosing and repairing machinery.
Credentials awarded
What Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree385 graduates / yr · 31 institutions45%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year274 graduates / yr · 15 institutions32%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years174 graduates / yr · 13 institutions20%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years33 graduates / yr · 4 institutions3.8%
Graduates over time
Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 434 |
| 2013 | 495 |
| 2014 | 605 |
| 2015 | 797 |
| 2016 | 681 |
| 2017 | 800 |
| 2018 | 779 |
| 2019 | 843 |
| 2020 | 925 |
| 2021 | 687 |
| 2022 | 778 |
| 2023 | 802 |
| 2024 | 751 |
| 2025 | 866 |
Top 44 institutions for Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 229 | 42% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OHPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 73 | 54% | $19,592 | — |
| 3 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 72 | 36% | — | — |
| 4 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAssociate's | 67 | 38% | — | — |
| 5 | Fort Scott Community College Fort Scott, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 41 | 35% | — | $56,322 |
| 6 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 23% | — | — |
| 7 | Lake Land College Mattoon, ILPublicAssociate's | 33 | 58% | — | $53,448 |
| 8 | Perry Technical Institute Yakima, WAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 79% | $24,069 | $43,797 |
| 9 | North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, NDPublicAssociate's | 31 | 55% | — | $62,531 |
| 10 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 21% | — | — |
| 11 | Illinois Central College East Peoria, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 49% | — | — |
| 12 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 19 | 29% | — | — |
| 13 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 30% | — | — |
| 14 | Garden City Community College Garden City, KSPublicAssociate's | 17 | 50% | — | — |
| 15 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 17 | 66% | — | $44,467 |
| 16 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 61% | — | $43,446 |
| 17 | Spoon River College Canton, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 42% | — | — |
| 18 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 45% | — | — |
| 19 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAssociate's | 9 | 76% | — | $55,301 |
| 20 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NYPublicAssociate's | 8 | 28% | — | — |
| 21 | Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 53% | — | — |
| 22 | Fort Hays Tech North Central Beloit, KSPublicAssociate's | 7 | 78% | — | — |
| 23 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 25% | — | — |
| 24 | South Central College North Mankato, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 6 | 39% | — | — |
| 25 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 6 | 50% | — | — |
| 26 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 6 | 56% | — | — |
| 27 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 55% | — | — |
| 28 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAssociate's | 5 | 33% | — | — |
| 29 | James A. Rhodes State College Lima, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 47% | — | — |
| 30 | Barton County Community College Great Bend, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 33% | — | — |
| 31 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 32 | Rend Lake College Ina, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 63% | — | — |
| 33 | Montana State University - Northern Havre, MTPublicAssociate's | 3 | 41% | — | — |
| 34 | Snow College Ephraim, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 35 | Madera Community College Madera, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 3 | 35% | — | — |
| 36 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 35% | — | — |
| 37 | Pratt Community College Pratt, KSPublicAssociate's | 2 | 45% | — | — |
| 38 | Glen Oaks Community College Centreville, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 39 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 65% | — | — |
| 40 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 41 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicAssociate's | 1 | 55% | — | — |
| 42 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 43 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAssociate's | 1 | 55% | — | — |
| 44 | Treasure Valley Community College Ontario, ORPublicAssociate's | 1 | 37% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Agricultural Mechanization field (CIP 01.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Agricultural Mechanization programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9 | 396 | Reedley College229 / yr |
| Kansas | 6 | 78 | Fort Scott Community College41 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 78 | University of Northwestern Ohio73 / yr |
| Illinois | 5 | 73 | Lake Land College33 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 67 | Southeast Community College Area67 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 4 | 44 | Madison Area Technical College19 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 33 | Perry Technical Institute33 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 31 | North Dakota State College of Science31 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 14 | South Georgia Technical College14 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 12 | South Central College6 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 10 | SUNY Morrisville8 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 9 | Mitchell Technical College9 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 6 | Wake Technical Community College5 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 5 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas5 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 3 | Montana State University - Northern3 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 3 | Snow College3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Glen Oaks Community College2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Ivy Tech Community College1 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | Treasure Valley Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-3041, Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians, with an annual job outlook growth rate of 11%. With approximately 3,700 annual openings and a median wage of $52,080, this field offers promising opportunities for those with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Techniciansprimary SOC 49-3041 | $56,550 | +11.0% Much faster than average | ~3,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines SOC 49-3042 | $65,510 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~16,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians SOC 49-3011 | $79,870 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~11,300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Agricultural Mechanization specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Agricultural Mechanization (CIP 01.02).
- Agricultural MechanizationCIP 01.0201467 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Agricultural Power Machinery OperationCIP 01.0204partial data124 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Agricultural MechanizationCIP 01.0299partial data27 graduates / yr6 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Irrigation Management Technology/
Technician01.0207
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of jobs can I get with this degree?+
Graduates can work as Agricultural Equipment Mechanics, Technicians, or Machinery Technicians.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, mechanical knowledge, and customer service.
How long does it take to complete the program?+
Program lengths vary, with options for associate degrees and shorter awards.
Is there a demand for this career?+
Yes, the job outlook is much faster than average, with many openings expected annually.
What is the CIP code for Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician?+
Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician is CIP 01.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Agricultural Mechanization (CIP 01.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to maintain and repair specialized farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles. Includes instruction in the principles of diesel, combustion, electrical, steam, hydraulic, and mechanical systems and their application to the maintenance of terrestrial and airborne crop-spraying equipment; tractors and hauling equipment; planting and harvesting equipment; cutting equipment; power sources and systems for silos; irrigation and pumping equipment; dairy, feeding, and shearing operations; and processing systems.
How many institutions offer Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician programs?+
44 U.S. institutions reported Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 866 credentials in the year. That is 58.4% of all Agricultural Mechanization graduates.
How much do Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians occupation, which Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $56,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agricultural Mechanization field report median earnings of $53,448 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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