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Irrigation system operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an irrigation system operator. Irrigation system operators usually study biology, electrical and power transmission installers, or ecology, population biology, and epidemiology. 40% of irrigation system operators hold a high school diploma, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 32 real irrigation system operator resumes to see exactly what irrigation system operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for irrigation system operators are the The University of Montana and the The University of Montana.

There are also many online irrigation system operator courses to help get the education required to be an irrigation system operator.

What education do you need to become an irrigation system operator?

What degree do you need to be an irrigation system operator?

The most common degree for irrigation system operators is high school diploma, with 40% of irrigation system operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
  • High School Diploma, 40%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • Diploma, 20%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become an irrigation system operator?

You should major in biology to become an irrigation system operator. 11% of irrigation system operators major in biology. Other common majors for an irrigation system operator include electrical and power transmission installers and ecology, population biology, and epidemiology.

Most common colleges for irrigation system operators

Irrigation system operators often get their degrees at The University of Montana, Grand Valley State University, and Alpena Community College. Here are the most common colleges for irrigation system operators in the US based on their resumes.
Irrigation system operator common collegePercentages
The University of Montana20.00%
Grand Valley State University20.00%
Alpena Community College20.00%
Pacific Union College20.00%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas20.00%

Best majors for irrigation system operators

Best colleges for irrigation system operators

The best colleges for irrigation system operators are Tufts University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.

An irrigation system operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for irrigation system operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become irrigation system operators.

1. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

2. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Enrollment

3,347

3. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

4. Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,729

Enrollment

6,722

5. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,000

Enrollment

25,973

6. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Enrollment

12,886

7. Baker College

Owosso, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$9,800

Enrollment

8,319

8. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Enrollment

11,008

9. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK • Private

In-state tuition

$6,657

Enrollment

4,657

10. University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, AK • Private

In-state tuition

$8,580

Enrollment

10,482

20 best online courses for irrigation system operators

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1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems

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5. Introduction to Operating Systems

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Top 10 most affordable universities for irrigation system operators

The most affordable schools for irrigation system operators are Brigham Young University, california state university - long beach, and florida international university.

If the best universities for irrigation system operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for irrigation system operators.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. University of Alaska Southeast

Juneau, AK • Private

In-state tuition

$7,092

Cost of attendance

16,853

9. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,233

Cost of attendance

18,110

10. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Cost of attendance

24,514

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for irrigation system operators

The hardest universities for irrigation system operators to get into are Tufts University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.

Some great schools for irrigation system operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for irrigation system operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

9. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for irrigation system operators

The easiest schools for irrigation system operators to get into are AdventHealth University, life university, and the university of texas permian basin.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an irrigation system operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for irrigation system operators.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

3. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

6. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,009

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average irrigation system operator salary by education level

Irrigation system operator education levelIrrigation system operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$54,325

Irrigation system operator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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