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Farmer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$89,900median pay per year, or $43.22 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $54,320lowest 10% earn less
  2. $66,30025th percentile
  3. $89,900median
  4. $118,86075th percentile
  5. $160,020top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Paid farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers earned a median of $89,900 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS counts 66.9% of the occupation as self-employed, and projects jobs to decline 3.4% by 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-3.4%[3]
Openings per year
70,800[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do farmers make?

The official BLS category is Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers. In May 2025, the median pay was $89,900 a year, or $43.22 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $99,820 a year, or $47.99 an hour[8].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $54,320, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $66,300[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $118,860, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $160,020[4]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $26.12 and the 90th was $76.93[9]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

Read these numbers with care. They cover only people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, bonuses that are not tied to production and the cost of benefits[10]. Only about 6,500 people were in these wage and salary jobs[11]. Meanwhile, 66.9% of farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers were self-employed in 2025[2]. So the figures describe a small paid group, not the income of a typical farm owner. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[12].

Pay by state and city

State data exists for 30 states, and job counts are small in many of them[13]. Nebraska had the highest median at $111,460, with 200 jobs[13]. Montana followed at $110,250 with 30 jobs, then California at $109,140 with 1,650 jobs[13]. West Virginia had the lowest listed median at $62,740[13].

California had the most wage jobs at 1,650, then Texas with 610 and Florida with 320[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Napa, CA had the highest median at $158,660, then Bakersfield-Delano, CA at $123,340 and Fresno, CA at $104,600[15]. Fresno had the most jobs among metro areas at 200[16].

Show median pay in 30 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Nebraska[13]$111,460200
Montana$110,25030
California$109,1401,650
Washington$103,240140
Kansas$102,49040
Illinois$99,440120
Georgia$95,90050
Mississippi$95,21080
New York$89,370130
Florida$87,080320
New Jersey$86,380n/a
Wisconsin$86,32030
Texas$85,990610
Indiana$83,10090
Michigan$82,620270
Oregon$81,560190
Idaho$81,010250
North Carolina$80,540250
Iowa$77,930180
Missouri$77,65060
Pennsylvania$76,04080
Kentucky$74,640110
Oklahoma$69,05080
Hawaii$68,75080
Maryland$67,600140
Virginia$66,78050
Ohio$65,990100
Minnesota$65,900160
Arkansas$63,92050
West Virginia$62,74050

How to become a farmer

BLS describes the typical path like this[7]:

The Occupational Outlook Handbook says people typically work as agricultural workers for several years before running their own farm, and some gain experience growing up on a family farm[17]. The experience needed depends on how complex the work is and how big the farm is[17]. People with postsecondary education in agriculture may not need more work experience[17].

Farm work has become more complicated over time, so further education may help. Fields of study named include agriculture, natural resources and business[18]. Certification is optional. Certification requirements include coursework, a bachelor's degree, experience in farmland management and an exam[19].

The handbook also says USDA service centers help new farmers access programs, including ones for financing land and capital and for business planning[20].

Skills the handbook lists include analysis, critical thinking, initiative, working with others, mechanical skill and physical stamina[21][22][23][24][25][26].

What farmers and agricultural managers do

O*NET describes the job as planning, directing or coordinating the operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, fish farms, nurseries, timber tracts and similar places[27]. Managers may hire, train and supervise farm workers[27]. Tasks listed include:

Sample job titles include farm manager, greenhouse manager and hatchery manager[29].

Where they work

The handbook says this work is typically outdoors, with some time in an office, and is often physically demanding[30]. Some farmers work mainly with crops, and others handle livestock[31]. Tractors, tools and other machinery can cause serious injury, and pesticides and fertilizers can be harmful[32].

Full-time work is typical, and many work more than 40 hours a week[33]. Farm work is often seasonal[33]. On livestock farms and ranches, work goes on all year because animals need daily care[34]. Managers who oversee several farms may split time between travel and office planning[35]. The largest employer group was the self-employed at 67%[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 788,700 to 762,200 jobs, a loss of 26,500[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[3]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[37].

Still, about 70,800 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 6.2% of workers leave the labor force and 3.3% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a low formal entry bar, a high school diploma, but a long experience requirement of 5 years or more[7]. The paid median is above the all-occupations median, though most of the occupation is self-employed and not covered by that figure[1][5][2][10]. Employment is projected to shrink, while openings still arise each year[3][6]. The work is often physically demanding and can follow the seasons[30][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a farmer make a year?
Paid farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers had a median of $89,900 in May 2025[1]. This leaves out the self-employed, who were 66.9% of the occupation[10][2].
What education do you need to be a farmer?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[7]. The handbook says postsecondary education may help as farm management grows more complex[18].
How long does it take to become a farmer?
BLS lists 5 years or more of related work experience and no typical on-the-job training[7].
Is farming a growing field?
BLS projects employment to decline 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations grow 3.5%[3][37]. About 70,800 openings a year are still projected[6].
Which state pays farmers the most?
Among 30 states with data, Nebraska had the highest median at $111,460, followed by Montana at $110,250 and California at $109,140[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in the US was $89,900 per year and $43.22 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: 66.9% of Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers is projected to decline 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 788,700 to 762,200 jobs (a change of -26,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: 10th percentile $54,320, 25th percentile $66,300, 75th percentile $118,860, 90th percentile $160,020. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 70,800 openings for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers was $99,820 per year and $47.99 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: 10th percentile $26.12, 25th percentile $31.87, 75th percentile $57.14, 90th percentile $76.93. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 6,500 people were employed as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers jobs: California 1,650; Texas 610; Florida 320; Michigan 270; Idaho 250. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Napa, CA $158,660; Bakersfield-Delano, CA $123,340; Fresno, CA $104,600; Stockton-Lodi, CA $101,990; Visalia, CA $98,040; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $97,880; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $92,800. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers jobs: Fresno, CA 200 (median $104,600); Napa, CA 150 (median $158,660); Bakersfield-Delano, CA 130 (median $123,340); Visalia, CA 130 (median $98,040); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 100 (median $97,880); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 100 (median $92,800). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 11-9013.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Aquaculture Director, Farm Manager, Farm Operations Technical Director, Fish Hatchery Manager, Greenhouse Manager, Harvesting Manager, Hatchery Manager, Hatchery Supervisor. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers in 2025: Self-employed workers 67%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: 6.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.