Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Tennessee
Agricultural Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,070 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $41,730. Tennessee ranks 29th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.12 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $38,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| 25th percentile | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,070 | $25.99 |
| Average (mean) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
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 | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | $36,660 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $34,070 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $31,020 | $14.91 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $33,080 | $15.91 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Faller | $47,560 | $22.87 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in Tennessee is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in Tennessee earn at least $54,070 a year. The top 25% earn $42,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,380 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $27,420 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Tennessee?
About 390 agricultural equipment operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.