Farmworker
Plant, tend and harvest crops in fields, orchards, nurseries and greenhouses.
- $35,660
- Days to weeks
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Farm Manager
Also called: Farmer · Rancher · Agricultural Manager · Farm Operations Manager
What farm managers 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 a farm manager do?
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock and dairy, managing operations, workers, finances and marketing. The median pay is $89,900 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of farm experience, and employment is projected to grow -3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$89,900$43.22/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-3.4%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year70,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train5+ years of farm experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs788,700Employment, 2025
What farm managers do
Farm managers run agricultural businesses. They plan crops and livestock, manage planting, harvesting and animal care, maintain equipment, hire and supervise workers, manage budgets, loans and crop insurance, market products and follow regulations. Many own their farms; others manage farms for owners or companies.
Many farmers learn by growing up on farms, while others earn agriculture degrees. Precision agriculture, data and business skills are increasingly important.
Typical duties
- Plan crop and livestock production
- Manage planting, harvesting and animal care
- Hire and supervise workers
- Maintain equipment and facilities
- Manage budgets, loans and insurance
- Market and sell products
- Follow regulations and conservation practices
Work environment and schedule
Farm managers work outdoors in fields and barns and in farm offices, in all weather.
Schedule: Hours are long and seasonal, especially during planting and harvest.
A day in the life
- Check livestock and the weather forecast.
- Assign crews to planting and irrigation.
- Review soil test results with an agronomist.
- Call the grain elevator about prices.
See a full day in the life of a farm manager →
Farm Manager salary
Half of farm managers earned more than $89,900 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $54,320 for the lowest 10% to $160,020 for the top 10%.
Full farm manager pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a farm manager
- Gain farm experience
- Study agriculture
- Learn the business
- Take on management
- Own or manage a farm
A high school diploma plus years of farm experience is typical. Many farm managers have degrees in agriculture or agribusiness.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a farm manager →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Crop and livestock management
- Farm equipment
- Farm finance
- Marketing and commodity pricing
- Precision agriculture
People skills
- Decision making
- Resilience
- Leadership
- Problem solving
All farm manager skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independence
- Work outdoors with land and animals
- Feed the world
- Build a family business
Cons
- Weather and market risk
- Long seasonal hours
- High capital costs
- Physical demands
Certifications and licenses
- Private pesticide applicator license: Required to apply restricted pesticides.
- Beef Quality Assurance (BQA): Livestock handling certification.
- Certified Crop Adviser (CCA): Agronomy credential.
- Accredited Farm Manager (AFM): ASFMRA credential.
Career path
- Farmworker: Learn farm tasks.
- Crew Leader or Herdsman: Lead tasks.
- Farm Manager: Run operations.
- Farm Owner: Own an operation.
Learn the job before day one
Our Farm Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a crop rotation and build a farm budget, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Agricultural Equipment Operator
Drive tractors, combines and sprayers to plant and harvest crops.
- $41,730
- 1–6 months
Ranch Hand
Care for cattle, horses and livestock on ranches and farms.
- $36,670
- Weeks to months
Agricultural Technician
Support crop, soil and livestock research in fields and labs.
- $49,630
- 2 years
Compare: Farm Manager vs. Farmworker · Farm Manager vs. Farm Equipment Operator · Farm Manager vs. Ranch Hand · Farm Manager vs. Agricultural Technician
Farm Manager FAQ
Do farm managers need a degree?
Not always, but agriculture degrees help.
Is farming profitable?
It can be, but income varies with weather and markets.
What skills matter most?
Production knowledge, finance and management.
How much does a farm manager make?
The median annual wage for farm managers was $89,900 ($43.22 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $54,320 and the highest 10% earned more than $160,020.
How long does it take to become a farm manager?
Most people need about 5+ years of farm experience of training. A high school diploma plus years of farm experience is typical. Many farm managers have degrees in agriculture or agribusiness.
Do you need a degree to be a farm manager?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9013 (Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers (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.