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Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 53 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Less exposedband 2 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 14% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Record details of repairs made and parts used.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Clean and lubricate parts.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Maintenance Workers, Machinery

    Very similar work
    +20% pay222 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 20% more—$69,527 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Troubleshooting

    New skills to build

    • Education and Training
  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

    Very similar work
    +18% pay51 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$68,591 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security
  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Very similar work
    +23% pay4,530 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 23% more—$71,717 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Education and Training
    • Reaction Time
  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Very similar work
    +17% pay431 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 17% more—$68,183 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Control Precision
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Troubleshooting

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
  • Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay3,965 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$55,645 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Repairing
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Troubleshooting

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Similar work
    +79% pay12,479 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 79% more—$104,013 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Near Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Building and Construction
    • Education and Training
    • Law and Government
  • Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Similar work
    +4% pay162 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$60,609 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Education and Training
  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Similar work
    +2% pay15,319 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 2% more—$59,426 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Troubleshooting
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Public Safety and Security
  • Rail Car Repairers

    Similar work
    +50% pay164 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 50% more—$86,975 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Control Precision
    • Multilimb Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Transportation
  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Similar work
    +24% pay2,106 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 24% more—$72,078 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Near Vision
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security
  • Millwrights

    Similar work
    +41% pay81 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 41% more—$81,814 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Control Precision
    • Visualization
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Mathematics
    • Administration and Management
  • Power Plant Operators

    Somewhat similar work
    +88% pay6,702 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 88% more—$109,433 vs your $58,148 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Near Vision
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Education and Training
    • Chemistry
    • Law and Government
    • Building and Construction