Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in North Carolina
Agricultural Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $39,580 a year ($19.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,240 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $41,730. North Carolina ranks 25th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.11 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $39,410, close to the median.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,110 | $12.55 |
| 25th percentile | $28,940 | $13.92 |
| Median | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| 75th percentile | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Average (mean) | $39,410 | $18.95 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,649.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,522.31 |
| Weekly | $761.15 |
| Hourly | $19.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,890 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $43,790 | $21.06 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Faller | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $48,460 | $23.30 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in North Carolina?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in North Carolina is $39,580 a year, or $19.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in North Carolina earn at least $49,240 a year. The top 25% earn $46,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,110 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $28,940 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in North Carolina?
About 550 agricultural equipment operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.