Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (SOC 11-9013) earn a median $89,900 a year ($43.22 an hour) in the United States, with 6,500 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Nebraska.
What farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers do
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run agricultural operations, including crop farms, livestock ranches, greenhouses, nurseries, fish hatcheries and aquaculture operations, and timber tracts. Decisions cover what to plant or raise, how to allocate land, labor, and equipment, and how to respond to problems such as insects, weather, or disease. They keep records of crop or animal yields, growth, and field conditions, hire and supervise workers or contract for services, and handle the financial and marketing side, including selling the output. Managers of nurseries direct the growing of plants for trade or retail sale, and aquaculture managers monitor spawning, incubation, and the transfer of fish to ponds or tanks. The occupation differs from agricultural workers, who perform the planting, harvesting, and animal care under direction, and from first-line supervisors of farm crews. The work includes collecting growth, production, and environmental data, setting planting and care schedules in greenhouses, and programming irrigation and environmental control computers.
Also called: Accredited Farm Manager (AFM), Agricultural Crop Farm Manager, Agricultural Manager, Agriculture Farmer, Agriculture Manager.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $26.12 | $31.87 | $43.22 | $57.14 | $76.93 | $47.99 | 6,500 |
| Annual | $54,320 | $66,300 | $89,900 | $118,860 | $160,020 | $99,820 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Nebraska | Hourly | $34.44 | $36.52 | $53.59 | $64.88 | $69.61 | $53.83 | 200 | 0.19 | 4.65 |
| Annual | $71,630 | $75,950 | $111,460 | $134,950 | $144,780 | $111,970 | ||||
| Montana | Hourly | $29.69 | $30.18 | $53.00 | $58.64 | $74.73 | $49.35 | 30 | 0.06 | 1.51 |
| Annual | $61,760 | $62,780 | $110,250 | $121,960 | $155,440 | $102,640 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $35.48 | $46.46 | $52.47 | $68.36 | $84.04 | $58.92 | 1,650 | 0.09 | 2.17 |
| Annual | $73,790 | $96,630 | $109,140 | $142,180 | $174,810 | $122,560 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $32.16 | $39.78 | $49.64 | $63.34 | $79.67 | $52.80 | 140 | 0.04 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $66,900 | $82,740 | $103,240 | $131,750 | $165,720 | $109,820 | ||||
| Kansas | Hourly | $29.01 | $31.64 | $49.27 | $66.17 | $96.15 | $52.82 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.59 |
| Annual | $60,340 | $65,800 | $102,490 | $137,640 | $199,990 | $109,870 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $35.48 | $46.46 | $52.47 | $68.36 | $84.04 | $58.92 | 1,650 | 0.09 | 2.17 |
| Annual | $73,790 | $96,630 | $109,140 | $142,180 | $174,810 | $122,560 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $20.79 | $30.17 | $41.34 | $52.18 | $62.29 | $41.84 | 610 | 0.04 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $43,240 | $62,750 | $85,990 | $108,540 | $129,560 | $87,030 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $25.83 | $35.95 | $41.86 | $67.97 | $89.88 | $53.80 | 320 | 0.03 | 0.77 |
| Annual | $53,720 | $74,770 | $87,080 | $141,370 | $186,940 | $111,910 | ||||
| Michigan | Hourly | $19.30 | $27.59 | $39.72 | $50.48 | $60.36 | $38.90 | 270 | 0.06 | 1.49 |
| Annual | $40,140 | $57,400 | $82,620 | $105,000 | $125,550 | $80,910 | ||||
| Idaho | Hourly | $32.75 | $35.62 | $38.95 | $49.78 | $62.58 | $44.52 | 250 | 0.29 | 6.93 |
| Annual | $68,120 | $74,090 | $81,010 | $103,540 | $130,160 | $92,600 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Napa, CA | Hourly | $48.19 | $50.50 | $76.28 | $80.57 | $96.49 | $71.10 | 150 | 1.92 | 45.85 |
| Annual | $100,230 | $105,030 | $158,660 | $167,580 | $200,700 | $147,880 | ||||
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Hourly | $42.26 | $49.63 | $68.54 | $78.31 | $79.70 | $63.29 | 70 | 0.35 | 8.39 |
| Annual | $87,900 | $103,230 | $142,560 | $162,890 | $165,770 | $131,650 | ||||
| Yakima, WA | Hourly | $39.99 | $48.57 | $60.66 | $63.10 | $80.18 | $58.68 | 40 | 0.43 | 10.24 |
| Annual | $83,180 | $101,020 | $126,170 | $131,250 | $166,780 | $122,050 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $37.34 | $46.97 | $60.13 | $72.11 | $84.97 | $61.30 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $77,680 | $97,690 | $125,070 | $149,990 | $176,740 | $127,500 | ||||
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Hourly | $37.13 | $44.85 | $59.30 | $64.74 | $93.76 | $60.11 | 130 | 0.38 | 9.13 |
| Annual | $77,220 | $93,290 | $123,340 | $134,660 | $195,030 | $125,020 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Fresno, CA | Hourly | $35.23 | $45.42 | $50.29 | $64.18 | $80.10 | $55.34 | 200 | 0.42 | 10.00 |
| Annual | $73,270 | $94,480 | $104,600 | $133,490 | $166,600 | $115,100 | ||||
| Napa, CA | Hourly | $48.19 | $50.50 | $76.28 | $80.57 | $96.49 | $71.10 | 150 | 1.92 | 45.85 |
| Annual | $100,230 | $105,030 | $158,660 | $167,580 | $200,700 | $147,880 | ||||
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Hourly | $37.13 | $44.85 | $59.30 | $64.74 | $93.76 | $60.11 | 130 | 0.38 | 9.13 |
| Annual | $77,220 | $93,290 | $123,340 | $134,660 | $195,030 | $125,020 | ||||
| Visalia, CA | Hourly | $34.80 | $37.85 | $47.14 | $61.28 | $74.58 | $52.37 | 130 | 0.74 | 17.67 |
| Annual | $72,380 | $78,720 | $98,040 | $127,470 | $155,120 | $108,930 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $16.99 | $29.74 | $47.06 | $53.21 | $56.97 | $43.19 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.57 |
| Annual | $35,340 | $61,870 | $97,880 | $110,670 | $118,500 | $89,820 | ||||
Top industries employing farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Support Activities for Crop Production employ 38.5% of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers nationally (2,500 jobs) at a median $103,570 a year ($49.80 an hour), followed by Support Activities for Animal Production (8.3%) and Scientific Research and Development Services (7.7%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Activities for Crop Production NAICS 115100 | 2,500 | 38.5% | $103,570 | $49.80 |
| Support Activities for Animal Production NAICS 115200 | 540 | 8.3% | $71,420 | $34.34 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 500 | 7.7% | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 300 | 4.6% | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) NAICS 4240A3 | 290 | 4.5% | $99,630 | $47.90 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (6,500). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $73,060 for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers in May 2021 and $89,900 in May 2025, with employment of 5,220 and 6,500.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $73,060 | $35.12 | 5,220 |
| May 2022 | $75,760 | $36.42 | 6,250 |
| May 2023 | $83,770 | $40.27 | 6,150 |
| May 2024 | $87,980 | $42.30 | 5,910 |
| May 2025 | $89,900 | $43.22 | 6,500 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
31 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska profile | $53.59 | $111,460 | $71,630 | $144,780 | 200 | 0.19 | 4.65 |
| 2 | Montana profile | $53.00 | $110,250 | $61,760 | $155,440 | 30 | 0.06 | 1.51 |
| 3 | California profile | $52.47 | $109,140 | $73,790 | $174,810 | 1,650 | 0.09 | 2.17 |
| 4 | Washington profile | $49.64 | $103,240 | $66,900 | $165,720 | 140 | 0.04 | 0.94 |
| 5 | Kansas profile | $49.27 | $102,490 | $60,340 | $199,990 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.59 |
| 6 | Illinois profile | $47.81 | $99,440 | $64,810 | $147,020 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.47 |
| 7 | Georgia profile | $46.10 | $95,900 | $56,270 | $158,480 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.24 |
| 8 | Mississippi profile | $45.77 | $95,210 | $26,000 | $124,800 | 80 | 0.07 | 1.61 |
| 9 | New York profile | $42.97 | $89,370 | $51,020 | $156,210 | 130 | 0.01 | 0.32 |
| 10 | Florida profile | $41.86 | $87,080 | $53,720 | $186,940 | 320 | 0.03 | 0.77 |
| 11 | New Jersey profile | $41.53 | $86,380 | $73,440 | $165,770 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Wisconsin profile | $41.50 | $86,320 | $76,850 | $127,410 | 30 | 0.01 | 0.28 |
| 13 | Texas profile | $41.34 | $85,990 | $43,240 | $129,560 | 610 | 0.04 | 1.04 |
| 14 | Indiana profile | $39.95 | $83,100 | $49,700 | $154,080 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.67 |
| 15 | Michigan profile | $39.72 | $82,620 | $40,140 | $125,550 | 270 | 0.06 | 1.49 |
| 16 | Oregon profile | $39.21 | $81,560 | $65,770 | $127,490 | 190 | 0.10 | 2.28 |
| 17 | Idaho profile | $38.95 | $81,010 | $68,120 | $130,160 | 250 | 0.29 | 6.93 |
| 18 | North Carolina profile | $38.72 | $80,540 | $38,150 | $252,100 | 250 | 0.05 | 1.19 |
| 19 | Iowa profile | $37.47 | $77,930 | $52,200 | $112,600 | 180 | 0.12 | 2.77 |
| 20 | Missouri profile | $37.33 | $77,650 | $58,950 | $145,490 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.51 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania profile | $36.56 | $76,040 | $49,310 | $116,920 | 80 | 0.01 | 0.33 |
| 22 | Kentucky profile | $35.88 | $74,640 | $58,350 | $129,460 | 110 | 0.06 | 1.35 |
| 23 | Oklahoma profile | $33.20 | $69,050 | $51,000 | $104,580 | 80 | 0.05 | 1.08 |
| 24 | Hawaii profile | $33.05 | $68,750 | $36,410 | $127,970 | 80 | 0.13 | 3.12 |
| 25 | Maryland profile | $32.50 | $67,600 | $46,610 | $127,860 | 140 | 0.05 | 1.17 |
| 26 | Virginia profile | $32.11 | $66,780 | $51,610 | $97,290 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.27 |
| 27 | Ohio profile | $31.73 | $65,990 | $39,520 | $92,760 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.43 |
| 28 | Minnesota profile | $31.68 | $65,900 | $60,940 | $104,530 | 160 | 0.06 | 1.33 |
| 29 | Arkansas profile | $30.73 | $63,920 | $36,760 | $136,730 | 50 | 0.04 | 0.86 |
| 30 | West Virginia profile | $30.16 | $62,740 | $54,540 | $99,270 | 50 | 0.07 | 1.57 |
| – | South Carolina profile | * | * | * | * | 40 | 0.02 | 0.39 |
Part of Management Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 11-9013 Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 11-9013, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 11-9013.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.