Farm Equipment Mechanic Career Assessment
Keeping tractors and combines running
Welcome
Farm equipment mechanics fix tractors, combines, sprayers, and planters, the machines that keep North Dakota farms running.
You will explore what this hands-on, ag-focused trade is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Farm Equipment Mechanic?
A farm equipment mechanic (also called an ag technician) inspects, diagnoses, and repairs farm machinery. Modern equipment has GPS, computers, and advanced hydraulics, so techs work with laptops as much as wrenches.
The Reality: When a combine breaks down during harvest, the farmer is losing money every hour. Planting and harvest seasons mean long days, weekends, and field calls.
Your Responsibilities:
- Diagnose problems with engines, hydraulics, and electronics
- Repair tractors, combines, sprayers, and planters
- Update software and GPS systems
- Do maintenance before planting and harvest
- Make field repairs on farms
- Order parts
- Talk with farmers about problems
- Keep service records
You keep the crops coming in.
A Day in the Life
6:30 AM — Harvest season. Your phone rings early: a combine is down in a field.
7:30 AM — Drive the service truck to the farm. Find a broken belt and hydraulic leak.
10:00 AM — Repair it in the field. The farmer is back to harvesting.
11:30 AM — Back at the dealership. Update the GPS software on a tractor.
12:30 PM — Lunch in the truck.
1:00 PM — Rebuild a hydraulic pump in the shop.
4:00 PM — Another field call. A sprayer has an electrical problem.
7:30 PM — Home. Harvest days are long.
Busy and seasonal: very long days at planting and harvest, calmer in winter.
Training in North Dakota
No state license is required. Dealer-sponsored college programs are the most common path. You go to school and work paid internships at a dealership.
Training Pathways:
- Dealer-sponsored AAS (about 2 years): School plus paid internships at a John Deere or Case IH dealership.
- General diesel program: Diesel training also leads to ag equipment jobs.
- Start as a shop helper: Some dealerships train helpers on the job.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — John Deere Tech, AAS, with three paid internships at a John Deere dealership
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Diesel Technology – Case IH, AAS, with internships at a sponsoring Case IH dealership
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Diesel Technology certificates
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. A valid driver's license. Many dealer programs require a sponsoring dealership, so reach out to a local dealer early.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
No license needed. Manufacturer training from John Deere, Case IH, and others matters most to employers.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- Manufacturer/dealer training certificates (John Deere, Case IH, and others)
- ASE truck tests — helpful for diesel skills
- CDL — sometimes useful for moving equipment
The Exams: Manufacturer training is completed through the dealer and school program.
Cost: Dealer-sponsored programs may help cover costs. Ask the dealership and school.
Keeping It Current: Keep up with manufacturer training as new equipment comes out.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Farm Equipment Mechanic Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $23.14–$27.72/hour ($48,120–$57,660/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $30.30/hour ($63,030/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $38.49–$43.40/hour ($80,050–$90,260/year)
What that means: ND pays more than the national median. Overtime during planting and harvest can add a lot.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 590 people did this work (2022 count) in ND. By 2032, that should be about 660 (about 12% growth). Expect about 60 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 11% growth — much faster than average.
Outlook: Good, with about 60 openings a year in ND. As farm equipment gets more high-tech, dealers need techs who understand electronics and GPS.
Who Hires in ND: Farm equipment dealerships (John Deere, Case IH, and others), large farms, and independent ag repair shops.
Work Setting: Dealership shops and farm fields across rural ND. Very busy in spring and fall.
Physical Demands: High. Heavy parts, climbing on large machines, and outdoor field work in heat, dust, and cold.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 49-3041); North Dakota long-term employment projections 2022–2032 and U.S. projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Precision Ag Specialist — Focus on GPS and guidance systems.
Path 2: Master Technician — Top-level dealer tech.
Path 3: Field Service Tech — Work mostly on farms.
Path 4: Service Manager — Lead a dealership's service team.
Path 5: Parts Specialist — Manage parts at the dealership.
Path 6: Farm Owner — Use your skills on your own operation.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Stay close to farming and rural life
- Paid internships during school
- Strong ND pay
- High-tech equipment
- Work in your home area
- Growing demand
What's Hard:
- Very long days at planting and harvest
- Field calls in all weather
- Heavy, physical work
- Pressure when farmers are waiting
- Buying tools is expensive
- Need a sponsoring dealer for some programs
- Slower winters
Be Honest: Are you OK with long hours during busy seasons? Can you work outside in all weather? Do you like both mechanical and computer work?