Service Technician FAQ for Students

One of the biggest challenges facing students is choosing a career after graduation that they will find rewarding – both intellectually and financially. This can be especially daunting if those who, for whatever reason, decide not to attend college. That is why we have prepared this site with the goal of helping to connect you with the exciting field of Service Technician!

What is a Service Technician?

Service Technicians carry out repairs and maintenance on engines, transmissions, and agricultural implements – today, the work is increasingly technology-based, meaning performing diagnostics of equipment computer and telemetry systems, troubleshooting computer problems, and more. Every day, the Service Technician focuses on keeping farm equipment running, farms producing, and farmers happy!

What do Service Technicians do?

  • Assemble, maintain, and repair mechanical and electrical equipment.

  • Perform preventative maintenance.

  • Travel to work on equipment at nearby farms and plants.

  • Use highly sophisticated electronic diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and repair agricultural machinery.

  • Maintain current knowledge of agricultural products.

How much can Service Technicians earn?

While starting technicians in the U.S. often earn hourly wages, good technicians advance quickly in salary. Those that move into service department management positions can earn an average of $61,000 per year, in addition to a 5% commission on sales! More specialized positions, such as those working in depth with certain computer equipment or technology, can earn even more.

An exceptional, highly-motivated field technician that is willing to work to keep customers running can often earn over $100,000 per year!

 

What does it take to be a Service Technician?

Service Technicians-in-training learn many of these skills as they progress through trade school, and many dealerships also offer extensive training to their employees.

  • Typically an Associate degree in industrial equipment, mechanics, heavy equipment, and transport technology is required or preferred.

  • A Basic Service Technician certification is also a plus.

  • High School or Associate degree courses in agricultural education, with a focus on science and mathematics.

  • Ability to perform basic computer functions and follow service manual guides.

  • Ability to quickly adjust machine or vehicle controls to exact positions.

  • Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution to the equipment problem.

  • Ability to lift at least 75 lbs repeatedly.

Testimonials
Blog Post Title One

“Being an Ag Service Tech has been a great fit for me. The hours are really good. The pay is good too!”

– Jesse, Davis Farm Supplies

Blog Post Title Two

“It makes me really proud to do this job – and to be able to do something that not everybody else can do, makes me want to do it even more.”

– Jacob, Sydenstricker-Nobbe Partners

Blog Post Title Three

“It’s something new every day. You don’t have to do the exact same thing every day. It’s always a new challenge, a new experience.”

– Zach, Davis Farm Supplies

Blog Post Title Four

“It is very awesome helping someone out. I know that without us, the farmers wouldn’t be going today.”

– Jesse, H&R Agri-Power

Service Technician Career Pathways

  1. Shop Foreman – Helps train and develop newer technicians while continuing to work on jobs roughly 50% of the time.

  2. Service Advisor – First step for us into the Service office. This person is the primary individual responsible for keeping jobs in front of technicians, making sure equipment is hauled here and back home, and contact customers to let them know details on their equipment or to schedule work.

  3. Service Manager – The next step in the Service office. Our Service Managers have primary responsibility for developing and coaching technicians, recruiting new techs and ag tech students, and managing the customer relationships with our service departments.

  4. Store Manager – Several of our Service Managers have go on to become Store Managers over time.

  5. Service Specialist – Our primary service process developer and trainer who handles all new employee on-boarding for the Service Department. The person in this role today was a former technician and Service Advisor.

  6. Technical Support Specialist – Reviews all company DTAC cases and helps technicians diagnose equipment as quickly as possible.

  7. Aftermarket Training Specialist – Responsible for helping train our parts and service departments on product features, optimization, and repair.

Ready to take the next step? Check out our Student Resource Database!

The North American Equipment Dealers Association’s Student Resource Database can easily help you identify resources in communities throughout the United States and Canada, including information about technical schools and scholarships (both local and national) that are available. More information is constantly being added so please check back frequently.

If you have questions, suggestions or need assistance using this database please contact Joe Dykes at jdykes@naeda.com or 816-561-5323.