Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Career Overview

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.

Also Known As

• Farm Equipment Mechanic
• Mechanic
• Service Technician (Service Tech)
• Tractor Mechanic

Alternate Job Titles

• Agricultural Equipment Mechanic (Ag Equipment Mechanic)
• Agricultural Mechanic (Ag Mechanic)
• Agricultural Service Technician (Ag Service Tech)
• Assembly Repairer
• Combine Mechanic
• Dairy Equipment Installer
• Dairy Equipment Mechanic
• Dairy Equipment Repairer
• Dairy Service Technician (Dairy Service Tech)
• Diesel Mechanic
• Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech)
• Electric Milkers Installer
• Equipment Service Tech (Equipment Service Technician)
• Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech)
• Farm Equipment Assembler

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.
• Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mechanical
• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Engineering and Technology

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Equipment Maintenance
2. Repairing
3. Troubleshooting
4. Operation and Control

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Manual Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Finger Dexterity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Visualization
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Extent Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Cautiousness
• Perseverance
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: 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.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• Adjustable end wrenches
• Air wrenches
• Angle grinders
• Arc welders
• Automated lathes
• Automatic center punches
• Aviation snips
• Bearing pullers
• Bench grinders
• Bench mount drill presses
• C clamps
• Circular wire gauges
• Clamp-on bench vises
• Clamping dial indicator
• Click type torque wrenches

Work Environment

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
• Exposed to Contaminants
• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$36,920
Median	$52,080
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$76,860

Workers Employed Nationally: 36,880

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.