Agricultural Sciences Professor
Teach and research crops, livestock, soils and food production.
- $98,700
- 5–7 years after a bachelor’s
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Extension Educator
Also called: Extension Agent · County Extension Agent · 4-H Educator · Farm Advisor
What extension educators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an extension educator do?
Farm and home management educators advise, instruct and assist individuals and families engaged in agriculture and related activities through cooperative extension programs. The median pay is $60,220 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Master’s plus field experience, and employment is projected to grow -3.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$60,220$28.95/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-3.2%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainMaster’s plus field experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs9,700Employment, 2025
What extension educators do
Extension educators connect research to real life. They teach farmers about crops, livestock and business, run 4-H youth programs, teach nutrition and family finance, answer questions and run field days for county extension offices.
A master’s degree is typical. BLS projects slight decline.
Typical duties
- Teach workshops
- Advise farmers
- Run 4-H programs
- Run field days
- Answer questions
- Write publications
- Evaluate programs
Work environment and schedule
Educators work in county offices, farms, schools and community sites.
Schedule: Full time, with evening and weekend events.
A day in the life
- Answer calls at the county office.
- Visit a farm.
- Identify a plant disease sample.
- Teach a pesticide class.
See a full day in the life of an extension educator →
Extension Educator salary
Half of extension educators earned more than $60,220 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,650 for the lowest 10% to $85,060 for the top 10%.
Full extension educator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an extension educator
- Earn an ag or education bachelor’s
- Work with farms or youth
- Earn a master’s
- Join an extension office
- Advance
A master’s degree in agriculture, education or a related field is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an extension educator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Agricultural knowledge
- Teaching adults
- Youth development
- Program evaluation
- Writing
People skills
- Communication
- Relationship building
- Organization
- Patience
All extension educator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Community impact
- Varied work
- University benefits
- Teaching and advising
Cons
- Slight decline
- Evening events
- Travel around the county
- Budget cuts
Certifications and licenses
- Master’s degree: Typical.
- Pesticide applicator license: For trainers.
- CCA: Helpful.
- Youth protection training: Required for 4-H.
Career path
- Program Assistant: Entry.
- Extension Educator: Teach.
- Senior Educator: Lead programs.
- County Extension Director: Lead office.
Learn the job before day one
Our Extension Educator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run an on-farm field day and identify a plant problem from a sample, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Farm Manager
Run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.
- $89,900
- 5+ years of farm experience
Family and Consumer Sciences Professor
Teach college courses on families, child development, nutrition and personal finance.
- $75,870
- 6–8 years after a bachelor’s
Soil and Plant Scientist
Study soils and crops to help farmers grow more with less.
- $78,850
- 4-year degree
Compare: Extension Educator vs. Agriculture Professor · Extension Educator vs. Farm Manager · Extension Educator vs. FCS Professor · Extension Educator vs. Soil and Plant Scientist
Extension Educator FAQ
Who employs extension educators?
Land-grant universities and counties.
Do I need a master’s?
Usually.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects slight decline.
How much does an extension educator make?
The median annual wage for extension educators was $60,220 ($28.95 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,650 and the highest 10% earned more than $85,060.
How long does it take to become an extension educator?
Most people need about Master’s plus field experience of training. A master’s degree in agriculture, education or a related field is typical.
Do you need a degree to be an extension educator?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.
More extension educator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-9021 (Farm and home management educators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Farm and home management educators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.