Job Description:
Agricultural engineers, according to the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), apply "engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources" They design agricultural machinery, equipment, sensors, processes and structures and solve problems related to farming. Agricultural engineers are also called biological engineers. Their work, says ASABE, ensures "that we have the necessities of life" like food, water, clean fuel and energy sources, and a healthy environment.
Employment Facts:
There were approximately 2,700 agricultural engineers employed in 2010. Approximately 17% worked for the federal government. Others worked for agricultural, construction and mining machinery manufacturers and for food manufacturers. Agricultural engineers work in laboratories, offices and on agricultural sites. Jobs in this field are typically full time—usually 40 hours per week—with some additional hours as well. Engineers are considered exempt employees and are not paid for working overtime. Since their work often involves being outdoors, the weather can affect their schedules. They work longer hours when the weather is good because they won't have that opportunity when it is inclement.
Educational Requirements:
To work as an agricultural engineer one must first earn at least a bachelor's degree in engineering with a concentration in agricultural engineering. This degree should come from a program accredited by ABET. ABET is an international organization that accredits engineering programs in 24 countries including the United States. Prospective students should use ABET's Accredited Program Search. It will usually take four years to complete a bachelor's degree which combines classroom, laboratory and field studies.
Other Requirements:
Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed. These licensed engineers are called Professional Engineers (PE). Candidates for licensure must have a degree from an ABET-accredited program and about four years of relevant work experience. One must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, both administered by NCEES (the National Council for Engineering and Surveying). Other requirements vary by state. The Licensed Occupations Tool from CareerOneStop will help you learn about the licensing requirements in the state in which you plan to work. In addition to education and licensing requirements, there are several personal characteristics agricultural engineers must have. If you want to succeed in this field you must be good at problem solving. Your math skills have to be strong. Since a lot of your work will involve working on a team, you must be able to collaborate with people who work in yours and other fields. Good listening skills are essential.
Job Outlook:
Employment of agricultural engineers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2020.
Earnings:
In 2011 agricultural engineers earned a median salary of $74,630 annually and $35.88 per hour (US). Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an agricultural engineer currently earns in your city.
A Day in Agricultural Engineer's Life:
On a typical day an agricultural engineer's tasks might include:
- developing ways to conserve soil and water
- improving the processing of agricultural products
- designing comfortable housing for animals, taking into account their well-being and the need for productivity
- collaborating with clients, contractors and colleagues
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment