Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2021.00
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.
- US jobs
- 1,480
- Median wage
- $98,590 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of agricultural engineers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.
Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 9% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 13%Confer with clients to determine needs or order specificationsNot measured
- 10%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
- 8%Test performance of equipment or systemsNot measured
- 8%Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practicesNot measured
- 7%Train others on operational or work proceduresNot measured
- 7%Design electrical or electronic systems or equipmentNot measured
- 7%Plan work activitiesNot measured
- 7%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 61%Claude Opus 5.5 (max) with Claude Code 2.1.280 · 24 Sep 2026Strong
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 64.8%Claude Code + Opus 5.5 (max) · 6 Oct 2026Strong
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
- Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
- Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
- Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
Other job titles for this occupation (24)
Agricultural Engineer · Agricultural Systems Specialist · Conservation Engineer · Engineer · Field Engineer · Product Engineer · Product Technology Scientist · Project Engineer · Research Agricultural Engineer · Research Engineer · Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer · Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer · Agricultural Production Engineer · Agricultural Research Engineer · Agriculture Consultant · Agriculture Engineer · Agriculture Scientist · Farm Equipment Engineer · Field Research Associate · Landscape Irrigation Specialist · Permaculture Designer · Regional Engineer · Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) · Test Engineer