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 $89,900 per year, ranking in the top 22% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.4% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. 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 $89,900. That puts farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers at #183 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 -3.4%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 788K positions in 2024 to 762K in 2034, a net change of <1K. 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 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

• Social and Community Service Managers
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• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
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• Personal Service Managers, All Other
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• Food Service Managers
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Common questions parents ask about farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers