Farmer, Rancher & Agricultural Manager
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
What the job is
- The work
- Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
BLS
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers typically work outdoors but also may spend time in an office. Their work is often physically demanding.
BLS
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Hard-working people who like the outdoors, animals or crops, and running their own business.
- Career cluster
- Agriculture
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers).
- Median pay
- $89,900 a year ($43.22 an hour)
BLS
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 788,700
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- −3%, which BLS calls "decline"
BLS
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- −26,500 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers typically need at least a high school diploma and work experience in a related occupation.
BLS
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers typically need at least a high school diploma and several years of farm work, often on a family farm. An associate's or bachelor's degree in agriculture, natural resources or business, for example at a state's land-grant university, can replace some of that experience. USDA has loans and coordinators for beginning farmers.
- License
- None
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Farmer or rancher: years of farm work or an agriculture degree; USDA help for beginning farmers
See the roadmap
Route 1: Farm work for several years → your own farm · Route 2: Agriculture degree at a land-grant university · Route 3: Registered Apprenticeship
More careers in Agriculture
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.