Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers fall under the Management category in the U.S. occupational classification. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn a median salary of $87,980 per year, ranking in the top 19% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.3% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earn?

The median annual wage for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers is $87,980. That puts farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers at #151 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers is -1.3%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 836K positions in 2024 to 825K in 2034, a net change of -11K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
2. 2.Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
3. 3.Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement.
4. 4.Supervise the construction of farm or ranch structures, such as buildings, fences, drainage systems, wells, or roads.
5. 5.Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.
6. 6.Coordinate the selection and maintenance of brood stock.
7. 7.Provide information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns.
8. 8.Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.

Top skills for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager?

The standard path into farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers