Prevailing Wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators
Prevailing wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators (SOC 45-2091) is set by the DOL using regional wage surveys, so the floor a Farm Equipment Operator or Baler Operator must meet depends entirely on the worksite location. DOL publishes four experience levels, and a Cutter Operator hired in Indianapolis faces a significantly higher floor than one hired in South Texas.
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Level 1 covers entry-level operators with limited field experience, typically under two years. Workers at this level follow direct supervision, operate standard equipment on routine tasks, and have not yet developed independent judgment on equipment selection or crop-cycle timing.
Level 2 applies to qualified operators with practical field experience who work with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Agricultural Equipment Operators, reflecting the hands-on, experienced workforce most employers seek for seasonal and year-round operations.
Level 3 covers experienced operators who work largely independently, adapt to varied crops and terrain, and may informally train newer workers. Employers filing at this level typically require several years of demonstrated equipment proficiency across multiple machine types.
Level 4 applies to fully competent operators in lead or senior roles, responsible for equipment maintenance decisions, crew oversight, or complex multi-machine operations. These positions carry the broadest scope and command the highest prevailing wage floor in each metro.
Prevailing Wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Agricultural Equipment Operators and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your filing level matches equipment scope
Employers sponsoring Farm Equipment Operators often default to Level 1 even when the role requires operating multiple machine types across different crop stages. If your offer covers planting, cultivating, and harvesting equipment, Level 2 is typically the defensible floor.
Watch Midwest metro premiums for this occupation
Agricultural Equipment Operator wages in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Minneapolis run well above the national median. If your worksite is in a high-concentration farming corridor, verify the metro-specific floor; rural or border-region wages can be significantly lower for the same role title.
Check how seasonal bonuses are counted toward the floor
Some agricultural employers structure compensation with a base wage plus end-of-season bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance for H-2A and H-1B purposes is measured on the base hourly or annual rate, not total compensation. Bonuses do not substitute for a wage that falls short of the floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Agricultural Equipment Operator sponsorships are concentrated among large agribusiness operations and farm management companies. Migrate Mate shows which employers have previously sponsored this role, so you can target companies with an established filing track record rather than employers new to the process.
Jobs for Agricultural Equipment Operators are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 45-2091.00 alongside Agricultural Equipment Operators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Baler Operator Prevailing Wage
Baler Operator Prevailing Wage
Baler Operator positions fall under SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Cutter Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Farm Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Farm Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Farm Equipment Operator positions fall under SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Hay Baler Prevailing Wage
Hay Baler Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Hay Baler for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Packing Tractor Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Packing Tractor Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Packing Tractor Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Rake Operator Prevailing Wage
Rake Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Rake Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sprayer Prevailing Wage
Sprayer Prevailing Wage
Sprayer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Windrower Operator Prevailing Wage
Windrower Operator Prevailing Wage
Windrower Operator positions fall under SOC 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metro and nonmetro areas. For Agricultural Equipment Operators, OFLC publishes four wage levels tied to experience and supervision. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the job's actual duties before DOL will certify a Labor Condition Application or PERM application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with moderate supervision, the most common filing level for this occupation; Level 3 is experienced with significant independence; Level 4 is fully competent or lead scope. Match the level to what the job actually requires. If the offer describes multi-machine operation or crew responsibilities but is filed at Level 1, the wage may be understated and the LCA could face scrutiny.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Agricultural Equipment Operator role vary so much by city?
OFLC bases each area's floor on regional OES survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting local labor market conditions. Employers must use the wage for the specific worksite on the LCA, not a national average. Markets with large agribusiness concentrations and competing employers, such as Indianapolis or Columbus, produce higher floors than lower-wage rural or border markets like McAllen or Lubbock.
What happens if a job offer for a sponsored Agricultural Equipment Operator falls below the prevailing wage?
DOL will not certify an LCA or PERM application if the offered wage is below the applicable prevailing wage level. USCIS can also deny an H-1B petition that cites an uncertified or deficient LCA. The employer must either increase the offered wage to meet the floor or refile at the correct level before any visa petition can proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 45-2091 and select the metro or nonmetro area matching your worksite. The tool returns all four wage levels for that area. Cross-reference with the O*NET occupation profile to confirm the job duties align with this SOC code. For sponsored roles already on the market, Migrate Mate lists employers with a history of sponsoring Agricultural Equipment Operators so you can see which companies regularly file for this occupation.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Agricultural Equipment Operators right now.
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