Tractor Operator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Tractor Operator

Best Schools to become a Tractor Operator in U.S. 2024

Reedley College

Reedley, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,664
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:36%
Total Enrollment:7,086

University of Northwestern Ohio

Lima, OH

In-State Tuition:$10,659
Out-of-State Tuition:$10,659
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:59%
Total Enrollment:2,615

Merced College

Merced, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,800
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:29%
Total Enrollment:10,214

Shasta College

Redding, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,184
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:7,363

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, IL

In-State Tuition:$9,316
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,336
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:32%
Total Enrollment:7,044

Perry Technical Institute

Yakima, WA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:79%
Total Enrollment:879
Tractor Operator Job Description:
  • Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste.
  • May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking.
  • May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Tractor Operator

Job Duties for Tractor Operators

  • Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.

  • Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.

  • Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.

Technologies and Skills Used by Tractor Operators

Data base user interface and query software

  • Martens Farms Farm Trac
  • Microsoft Access

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Tractor Operator

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Tractor Operator

FAQs About Becoming a Tractor Operator