Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

What you'd actually do

• Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
• Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
• Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
• Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
• Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
• Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 62.6% of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are take-charge, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

Related careers

• Education Administrators, All Other
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• General and Operations Managers

Quick questions

How much does a farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager make?

The median pay is $43.22 per hour — roughly $90,000 a year, with the real range running from about $26.12/hr (10th percentile) to $76.93/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural manager actually do all day?

Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data. Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research. Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.