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Farmworkers, farm, ranch and aquacultural animals (cowboys): pay, job outlook and how to get in

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

$36,670median pay per year, or $17.63 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $27,360lowest 10% earn less
  2. $31,02025th percentile
  3. $36,670median
  4. $45,70075th percentile
  5. $54,080top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Federal data puts the median pay for farm, ranch and aquacultural animal workers at $36,670 a year[1]. No formal education is needed to enter, but jobs are projected to decline by 3.2% over ten years[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-3.2%[3]
Openings per year
26,600[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[2]

How much do cowboys make?

The official BLS category that covers a cowboy is Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. In May 2025, the median wage was $36,670 a year, or $17.63 an hour[1]. Half of the workers made more than the median and half made less. The average was $39,260 a year, or $18.88 an hour[7].

For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[5]. So this job's median sits below the national median.

The pay range is fairly wide:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[4][8] $27,360 $13.15
25th[4][8] $31,020 $14.91
Median[1] $36,670 $17.63
75th[4][8] $45,700 $21.97
90th[4][8] $54,080 $26.00

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $27,360[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 32,810 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 49 states with published data, Alaska came first on median pay at $50,450, followed by West Virginia at $48,460 and Hawaii at $47,050[12]. Alaska and West Virginia each had only 40 jobs, so these medians describe very small groups[12].

The most jobs were in Texas (3,750), California (3,600), Kansas (1,340), Pennsylvania (1,330) and Missouri (1,310)[13]. Texas paid a median of $33,920 and California $38,640[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area was listed first for pay at $50,100[14]. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington came next at $47,950[14], then Santa Rosa-Petaluma at $45,970[14]. The metro with the most jobs was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 610, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington with 600[15].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[12]$50,45040
West Virginia$48,46040
Hawaii$47,050160
Minnesota$46,020580
Washington$45,3701,100
Maine$42,170140
Maryland$41,760310
Vermont$40,73080
Idaho$40,580480
North Dakota$40,320130
Colorado$39,7401,270
New Hampshire$39,520130
New Jersey$38,960250
Wyoming$38,920470
North Carolina$38,750910
Virginia$38,670630
California$38,6403,600
Massachusetts$38,280270
Kentucky$38,030700
South Dakota$38,000100
Indiana$37,530420
Mississippi$37,430290
Nebraska$37,220570
Kansas$37,0601,340
Montana$37,010660
Delaware$36,94090
Florida$36,790820
Alabama$36,6201,300
Iowa$36,4801,240
New Mexico$36,400330
Oregon$35,480700
Pennsylvania$35,3601,330
Arizona$35,160650
Connecticut$35,14090
South Carolina$35,090190
New York$34,860530
Texas$33,9203,750
Illinois$33,840450
Tennessee$33,720450
Oklahoma$33,670420
Utah$32,97080
Wisconsin$32,970930
Missouri$32,9501,310
Michigan$32,660750
Louisiana$31,94080
Nevada$31,700210
Ohio$31,2001,160
Arkansas$29,340460
Georgia$28,410690

How to become a cowboy

BLS describes a short path into this occupation[2]:

The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of agricultural workers, so they may not fit every ranch job[16]. That profile says many of these workers get short-term training of up to 1 month[17]. Some workers, especially those who run equipment, need a valid driver's license[18].

In an O*NET survey of 32 workers, 39% said some college courses were required, 25% said a high school diploma or equivalent, and 18% said less than a high school diploma[19]. Because the survey is small, treat these as survey shares, not a rule.

The BLS profile also lists qualities that help, such as physical stamina and strength, mechanical skills, and listening carefully to instructions[20][21][22][23]. It says workers can move up to crew leader or similar supervisory jobs[24].

What cowboys do

O*NET describes this work as caring for live farm, ranch or open range animals, including cattle, sheep, horses, poultry and fish[25]. Common tasks include:

Job titles workers report include cowboy, ranch hand, herdsman and livestock handler[27].

Where they work

The following comes from the wider BLS agricultural workers profile[16]. Work is usually outdoors in all kinds of weather[28]. The wider profile says this work may be dangerous[29]. Workers who deal with animals risk bites, kicks or stings, and farm machinery can cause serious injuries[29].

Full-time work is the norm in the wider group, and for some the week runs past 40 hours[30]. Because crops and animals need constant care, schedules may include early mornings, weekends and holidays[30]. Many have seasonal schedules with longer periods of work at planting, harvest, or when animals need shelter and feed[31]. Crop production was the largest employer in the group at 53%[32].

In 2025, 2.8% of workers in this occupation were self-employed[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment in this occupation to fall 3.2% between 2025 and 2035, going from roughly 202,100 jobs to 195,700[3]. Those counts include self-employed workers[3]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth over the same years[34].

Even so, about 26,600 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people leave the labor force or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 6.4% of workers leave the labor force and 7.3% move to a different occupation[35].

BLS expects more mechanization of agricultural operations to lower demand for these workers, with more demand for agricultural equipment operators[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show an easy way in, with no formal credential, no related experience and short-term training[2]. Pay is below the national median for all occupations, at $36,670 against $50,980[1][5]. Employment is projected to shrink, though openings from turnover continue[3][6]. The work is outdoors and can be hard and risky, with variable schedules[28][29][30]. Agricultural equipment operators, a related job, have a projected growth of 8.6% and a median of $41,730[37].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cowboy make an hour?
The median was $17.63 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $13.15 and the 90th was $26.00[8].
What education do you need to be a cowboy?
BLS lists no formal educational credential for entry, with short-term on-the-job training[2].
Is farm and ranch animal work in demand?
BLS projects a 3.2% decline between 2025 and 2035, but about 26,600 openings a year are projected[3][6].
Which state pays cowboys the most?
Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $50,450, but with only 40 jobs[12]. Texas had the most jobs at 3,750[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals in the US was $36,670 per year and $17.63 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals is projected to decline 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 202,100 to 195,700 jobs (a change of -6,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: 10th percentile $27,360, 25th percentile $31,020, 75th percentile $45,700, 90th percentile $54,080. 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 26,600 openings for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals 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 OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals was $39,260 per year and $18.88 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: 10th percentile $13.15, 25th percentile $14.91, 75th percentile $21.97, 90th percentile $26.00. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  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 32,810 people were employed as Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals jobs: Texas 3,750; California 3,600; Kansas 1,340; Pennsylvania 1,330; Missouri 1,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $50,100; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $47,950; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $45,970; Boise City, ID $45,670; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,140; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $44,930; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,300; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $42,910. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 610 (median $37,720); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 600 (median $35,030); Kansas City, MO-KS 470 (median $35,710); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 460 (median $35,850); Lancaster, PA 430 (median $36,670); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 420 (median $38,350). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Agricultural Workers" covers Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 45-2093.00 survey of workers (32 respondents), education level they say is required: Some College Courses 39%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Less than a High School Diploma 18%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 9%, Post-Secondary Certificate 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. 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: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 45-2093.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Cowboy, Farm Hand, Farrowing Worker, Herdsman, Livestock Handler, Milking Worker, Ranch Hand, Rancher. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural workers in 2025: Crop production 53%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 2.8% of Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: 6.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as the mechanization of agricultural operations is expected to reduce demand for these workers, with a corresponding increase in demand for agricultural equipment operators. BLS Employment Projections
  37. 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. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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.