Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Is farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers a good career?
It scores 18/100 and ranks #383 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($89,900 vs $61,390)
- High volume of openings — about 85,500 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-1.3% through 2034)
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earn between $66,300 and $118,860 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers jobs
No live farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers openings will appear here — each shown against the $89,900 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation. As farm and land management has grown more complex, farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers may benefit from postsecondary education. Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree fields of study commonly include agriculture, natural resources, or business.
Most state university systems have at least one land-grant college or university with a school of agriculture. Programs of study include agricultural economics and business, animal science, and plant science.
There are a number of government programs that help farmers connect with farming services. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has service centers across the country that assist new farmers in accessing USDA programs. These service centers connect farmers with programs such as those that provide financing for land and capital, help with creating a business plan, and input on conservation practices.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
To show competency in farm management, agricultural managers may choose to complete certification programs. Certification requirements include relevant coursework, a bachelor’s degree, experience in farmland management, and passing an exam.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers monitor and assess the quality of their land or livestock.
Critical-thinking skills. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers determine how to improve their harvest and livestock while reacting to conditions that may affect their short- or long-term plans.
Initiative. Many farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers are self-employed. They must be self-motivated in order to maximize crop or livestock production.
Interpersonal skills. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers supervise laborers and other workers, so they must be able to communicate and interact with a variety of people.
Mechanical skills. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers operate complex machinery and occasionally perform routine maintenance.
Physical stamina. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers—particularly those who work on small farms—must be able to do physically strenuous, repetitive tasks, such as bending, stooping, and lifting.
Related occupations
How much do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers make?
The national median wage is $89,900 a year, with the middle half earning between $66,300 and $118,860 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 18 of 100 and ranks #383 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -1.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earn the most?
Among states, Nebraska pays the highest median ($111,460). Local pay for every state and metro is below.