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Tractor driver
Agricultural machinery operator, combine harvester driver, crop sprayer
Tractor drivers operate farm machinery to plough fields, plant seeds, and spray and harvest crops.
Average salary (a year)
£16000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
60.0 to 62.0 hours
seasonal
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills you need to become a tractor driver.
You could do a level 2 award in tractor driving and related occupations or in safe working in agriculture and production horticulture.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could do a general farm worker intermediate apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship usually takes 18 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
There is no set route to become a tractor driver so you could apply directly.
It might be useful if you have some experience in farming and a knowledge of basic mechanics.
More Information
Registrations
you may need a plant card to operate some machinery
Further Information
You can find out more about working in farming from Tasty Careers and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    The ability to work on your own
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
    Knowledge of food production methods
    Concentration skills
    Analytical thinking skills
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this role you could
discuss work with the farm manager, plough fields, sow seeds and harvest crops, spray crops with fertilisers and pesticides, use tractor attachments to cut hedges and make hay bales, maintain equipment and carry out basic repairs
Working environment
You could work on a farm.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, cramped, noisy, physically demanding and dusty.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience you could:become a supervisor or farm manager, agricultural contractor, or agricultural engineer, be a tractor driver in different sectors such as maintaining outdoor spaces for local government, take further training to operate different machinery
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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