Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals fall under the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry category in the U.S. occupational classification. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals earn a median salary of $36,670 per year, ranking in the top 94% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.2% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, 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 farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals earn?

The median annual wage for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is $36,670. That puts farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals at #778 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. 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 farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is -3.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 202K positions in 2024 to 195K 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 farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal?

Many farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. 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

• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
  $35,730 median
• Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
  $35,660 median
• Fishing and hunting workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
  $59,320 median
• Fallers
  $52,100 median
• Animal Breeders
  $51,130 median

Common questions parents ask about farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals