Agricultural Engineers
Machines can already do 36% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Agricultural Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 36% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 1,480 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $98,590 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
- Also called: Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Conservation Engineer, Engineer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems | 19% | 58% to 85% | |
| Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made | 9% | 28% to 58% | |
| Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs | 8% | 30% to 60% | |
| Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation | 6% | 40% to 75% | |
| Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction | 6% | 30% to 58% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills agricultural engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Commercial and Industrial Designers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $83,910
- Materials Engineers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $112,860
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
- Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $115,160
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Agricultural Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of agricultural engineers?
Machines can do 36% of the tasks of agricultural engineers today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Agricultural Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/agricultural-engineers/