How much does a farm machine mechanic make?
a year · about $27 an hour
A typical farm machine mechanic in the United States makes $56,550 a year, about $27 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They inspect a tractor or harvester, listen for trouble, use diagnostic tools, and repair or replace parts before testing it. If a huge machine breaks in a field, they may take a truck loaded with tools to fix it there and record the work.
Did you know? During busy planting and harvest seasons, farm-equipment mechanics may work 12-hour days to get machines running when farmers need them most.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,470 and $78,740How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school, then study farm or diesel mechanics at a trade school or community college, or start as an apprentice. They learn on the job; no state license or certification is required, though optional industry or manufacturer training can help.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, in-demand skills, and optional certifications or manufacturer training. Employer and location matter too; specialized work on newer farm technology and longer busy-season hours can affect total pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in North Dakota ($63,030), lowest in Tennessee ($47,830).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,470 | $56,550 | $78,740 | about 38,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $63,030 | about 770 |
| South Dakota | $62,140 | about 820 |
| Washington | $61,370 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $60,830 | about 660 |
| Indiana | $60,460 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heavy-vehicle-and-mobile-equ
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/49-3041.00
- www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Farm_Equipment_Mechanic_and_Technician
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/01/the-people-behind-the-machines-precision-agric
- seasonaljobs.dol.gov/jobs/H-300-25342-465273
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY