Salary guide
Ranch Hand Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What ranch hands earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median ranch hand salary in the U.S. is $36,670 per year, or $17.63 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $27,360, while the top 10% earned more than $54,080.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Ranch Hand pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,360 | $13.15 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $31,020 | $14.91 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $36,670 | $17.63 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $54,080 | $26.00 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $31,020 | $36,670 | $45,700 |
| Per month | $2,585 | $3,056 | $3,808 |
| Every two weeks | $1,193 | $1,410 | $1,758 |
| Per week | $597 | $705 | $879 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects ranch hand pay
- Seasonal versus year-round employment
- Licenses and certifications (pesticide applicator, ISA arborist, credentialed vet tech)
- Equipment skills and CDL endorsements
- Supervisory responsibility and business ownership
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a ranch hand
- Get credentialed: Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Dairy Farmers of America training, Low-stress livestock handling courses.
- Build specialty experience: Handle more responsibility.
- Move up: roles such as herd manager and ranch manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Ranch Hand pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of ranch hands to change by -3.2% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 26,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 45-2093 (“Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Ranch Hand salary FAQ
How much does a ranch hand make per hour?
The median hourly wage for ranch hands was $17.63 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $13.15 and the top 10% earned about $26.00 or more.
How much does a ranch hand make a month?
At the median annual wage of $36,670, that works out to about $3,056 per month before taxes, or about $1,410 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a ranch hand?
New ranch hands often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $27,360 and the 25th percentile was $31,020 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can ranch hands earn more?
Common ways include earning Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Dairy Farmers of America training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as herd manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 45-2093 (Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals (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.