Farmers & Ranchers earn $89,900 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $66,300 and $118,860. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Also known as:
Farmers & Ranchers earn $89,900 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,300 and $118,860. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Above the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Farmers & Ranchers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Significant time outdoors or in the field. Conditions vary by weather.
Physically demanding. Significant standing, moving, or manual tasks.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects -1.3% employment change for Farmers & Ranchers through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 85,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Declining employment projected.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Farmers & Ranchers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $89,900 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,340 | $107,780 | +19.9% |
| 2 | Texas | 560 | $72,220 | -19.7% |
| 3 | Florida | 400 | $94,990 | +5.7% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 180 | $79,690 | -11.4% |
| 5 | Iowa | 150 | $100,350 | +11.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Farmers & Ranchers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animal Sciences | 8,396 | $49,634 | 157 |
| 2 | Agricultural Business and Management | 8,085 | $66,647 | 380 |
| 3 | Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business | 3,932 | $58,494 | 286 |
| 4 | Agricultural Production Operations | 3,522 | $53,588 | 283 |
| 5 | Plant Sciences | 3,307 | $56,567 | 157 |
| 6 | Food Science and Technology | 2,181 | $70,873 | 162 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 4 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | 89 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| 6 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | 88 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
Once you've sized up Farmers & Ranchers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Farmers & Ranchers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Farmers & Ranchers has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 4 upsides and 3 concerns below are all data-sourced.
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