Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers plan, direct, and oversee agricultural operations. This career combines hands-on work with management responsibilities, requiring both physical capability and strong decision-making. National employment is sizable at 836,000 workers, indicating a well-established field. While projected employment growth is -1.3%, there are still an estimated 86,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing movement and replacement needs in the workforce. The national median annual salary of $87,980 points to solid earning potential for many workers in this occupation. Typical entry into these roles requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, supported by a diverse skill set that includes project management, leadership, science, mathematics, and problem solving. Additional strengths in mechanical ability, creativity and innovation, critical and analytical thinking, physical strength and stamina, and writing and reading can help individuals handle both the operational and administrative sides of agricultural management. For those interested in related paths, similar occupations include several types of first-line supervisors, facilities managers, and foresters.
The national median annual salary for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers is $87,980. This indicates substantial earning potential, especially for individuals who build strong management and technical skills over time. Pay can vary by location. Among the highlighted states, California shows a median salary of $109,140, noticeably higher than the national median, while Washington reports $103,240 and Maryland $67,600. In New York, the median salary is $89,370, and in Virginia it is $66,780. Metro areas also differ: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a median salary of $111,470, and San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad reports $103,260. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows $96,480, while Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington is $97,880 and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $86,580. These variations suggest that individuals considering this career may want to weigh geographic differences in typical pay when evaluating long-term earning potential.
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers make up a large workforce, with national employment at 836,000. The occupation’s projected employment growth is -1.3%, indicating a modest overall decline in total positions over the projection period. Despite this negative growth rate, the field is expected to have about 86,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing needs as workers retire, change careers, or move to different roles within or outside agriculture. The combination of a large existing workforce and substantial annual openings suggests steady movement within the occupation, even as total employment edges down. Individuals considering this career should understand that opportunities may depend on location, individual qualifications, and the ability to demonstrate strengths in areas such as project management, leadership, and problem solving. For those who later want alternatives, related occupations include first-line supervisors in various settings, facilities managers, and foresters, which may offer different employment dynamics while drawing on some overlapping skill areas.
Location plays a significant role in the career landscape for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers. Among states with top CareerGPS opportunity scores, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38 and a median salary of $109,140, with employment of 1,650. New York follows with an opportunity score of 65.78, median salary of $89,370, and employment of 130. Washington shows a median salary of $103,240 and an opportunity score of 56.29, while Virginia and Maryland have lower median salaries of $66,780 and $67,600 and opportunity scores of 54.96 and 52.88, respectively. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median salary of $96,480. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has both a high median salary of $111,470 and a strong opportunity score of 68.75. Other metros such as Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, and San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad also present notable combinations of salaries, employment levels, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This means many individuals can enter the field without needing a college degree, while focusing on building the competencies that support effective management of agricultural operations. Key skills for this occupation cover both analytical and practical areas. Project management and leadership help with organizing work and guiding people. Science and mathematics support understanding and managing agricultural processes and quantitative information. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, are central to handling challenges and making informed choices. Mechanical skills and physical strength and stamina are important for working with equipment and performing physically demanding tasks. Creativity and innovation can contribute to improvements in processes, while strong writing and reading skills support recordkeeping, communication, and understanding technical or regulatory information. Together, these abilities form a comprehensive skill profile for long-term success in agricultural management roles.
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