medium risk

Agricultural Equipment Operators

SOC: 45-2091.00 · Job Zone 2 (Some preparation)

Drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. May perform tasks, such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks, such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.

MediumEst. full displacement: 2041–2051high confidence

Raw task score: 45.5Protective discount: 17.5%17 tasks scoredModel: v1.0_gemini-3-1-pro-preview_20260228

AI Impact Summary

Agricultural Equipment Operators faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 38/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2041 and 2051. Of 17 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$42,580

per year

Mean Wage

$43,920

per year

Employment

31K

workers

Wage Range

$31,240 - $57,790

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$31,240Median: $42,580$57,790

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 17.5%

Skill Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (7)

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (5)

Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingSystems Analysis

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Agricultural Equipment Operators professionals should diversify beyond them.

Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Task Breakdown

17 tasks analyzed

Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.

Non-Routine ManualAI: 5Risk: 11.0Time: 10%

Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 65Risk: 53.0Time: 8%

Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.

Non-Routine ManualAI: 5Risk: 11.0Time: 6%

Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.

Routine ManualAI: 35Risk: 47.0Time: 5%

Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.

Routine ManualAI: 60Risk: 57.0Time: 15%

Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.

Routine ManualAI: 55Risk: 55.0Time: 10%

Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.

Non-Routine InterpersonalAI: 15Risk: 21.0Time: 4%

Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.

Routine ManualAI: 35Risk: 47.0Time: 5%

Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.

Routine ManualAI: 35Risk: 47.0Time: 4%

Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.

Routine ManualAI: 30Risk: 45.0Time: 5%

Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.

Routine ManualAI: 60Risk: 57.0Time: 8%

Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.

Routine ManualAI: 50Risk: 53.0Time: 6%

Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants in planter mechanisms at specified intervals.

Routine ManualAI: 35Risk: 47.0Time: 3%

Weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.

Routine CognitiveAI: 90Risk: 85.2Time: 3%

Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.

Routine ManualAI: 40Risk: 49.0Time: 4%

Guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products.

Routine ManualAI: 60Risk: 57.0Time: 2%

Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.

Routine ManualAI: 40Risk: 49.0Time: 2%

Task	Category	AI Capability	Risk Score	Time %
Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.	Non-Routine Manual	5	11.0	10%
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.	Non-Routine Analytical	65	53.0	8%
Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.	Non-Routine Manual	5	11.0	6%
Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.	Routine Manual	35	47.0	5%
Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.	Routine Manual	60	57.0	15%
Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.	Routine Manual	55	55.0	10%
Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.	Non-Routine Interpersonal	15	21.0	4%
Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.	Routine Manual	35	47.0	5%
Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.	Routine Manual	35	47.0	4%
Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.	Routine Manual	30	45.0	5%
Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.	Routine Manual	60	57.0	8%
Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.	Routine Manual	50	53.0	6%
Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants in planter mechanisms at specified intervals.	Routine Manual	35	47.0	3%
Weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.	Routine Cognitive	90	85.2	3%
Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.	Routine Manual	40	49.0	4%
Guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products.	Routine Manual	60	57.0	2%
Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.	Routine Manual	40	49.0	2%