Ranked list · 36 careers

36 Jobs in Agriculture, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)

Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary tops this list at $98,700 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +2.9% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 36 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.

Careers on this list: 36From 1,731 in the bank
Median pay on the list: $54,340BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected to grow: 30 of 36BLS EP, 2025–2035
Openings a year: 504,400Combined, BLS EP

Method

How we built this list

Careers that grow and manage food and fibre, from farm and ranch managers to agronomists, soil scientists, agricultural engineers and inspectors. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.

The list

The top 36 jobs in agriculture

100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.

1
1. Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
Median pay
$98,700median a year
Growth
+2.9%
Openings / yr
800
Education
Doctorate
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences.
2
2. Agricultural Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
Median pay
$98,590median a year
Growth
+6.9%
Openings / yr
100
Education
Bachelor's
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural pr…
3
3. Farmer or Agricultural Manager
Management
Median pay
$89,900median a year
Growth
−3.4%
Openings / yr
70,800
Education
High school
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments.
4
4. Viticulturist
Specialty within soil and plant scientist
Median pay
$78,850median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.7%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Bachelor's
Manages the science and care of wine grape vineyards, from planting and pruning to irrigation, disease control and harvest timing.
5
5. Buyer and Purchasing Agent, Farm Products
Business and Financial Operations
Median pay
$77,710median a year
Growth
+6.0%
Openings / yr
47,200
Education
Bachelor's
Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale.
6
6. Farm and Home Management Educator
Educational Instruction and Library
Median pay
$60,220median a year
Growth
−3.2%
Openings / yr
800
Education
Master's
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities.
7
7. First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$59,320median a year
Growth
+3.8%
Openings / yr
7,200
Education
High school
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.
8
8. Farm Labor Contractor
Business and Financial Operations
Median pay
$58,460median a year
Growth
+7.4%
Openings / yr
100
Education
No formal credential
Recruit and hire seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers.
9
9. Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Median pay
$56,550median a year
Growth
+10.7%
Openings / yr
3,700
Education
High school
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
10
10. Agricultural Inspector
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$49,940median a year
Growth
+2.3%
Openings / yr
2,500
Education
Bachelor's
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
11
11. Agricultural Technician
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Median pay
$49,630median a year
Growth
+5.4%
Openings / yr
2,800
Education
Associate's
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition.
12
12. Precision Agriculture Technician
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Median pay
$49,630median a year
Growth
+5.4%
Openings / yr
2,800
Education
Associate's
Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide ap…
13
13. Seed Analyst
Specialty within agricultural technician
Median pay
$49,630median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.4%
Openings / yr
2,800
Education
Associate's
Tests seed samples for germination, purity and weed seeds so farmers and seed companies know exactly what they are planting.
14
14. Vertical Farm Grower
Specialty within agricultural technician
Median pay
$49,630median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.4%
Openings / yr
2,800
Education
Associate's
Grows leafy greens, herbs and other crops indoors under LED lights in hydroponic systems, controlling every part of the environment.
15
15. Agricultural Drone Pilot
Specialty within pesticide handler, sprayer, and applicator, vegetation
Median pay
$46,340median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.9%
Openings / yr
3,300
Education
High school
Flies drones that spray crops, spread seed and map fields, combining FAA drone certification with pesticide applicator licensing.
16
16. Agricultural Equipment Operator
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$41,730median a year
Growth
+8.6%
Openings / yr
10,100
Education
No formal credential
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste.
17
17. Commercial Beekeeper
Specialty within farmworker, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal
Median pay
$36,670median (parent occupation)
Growth
−3.2%
Openings / yr
26,600
Education
No formal credential
Manages honey bee colonies for honey production and crop pollination, often moving hives between farms across the country.
18
18. Farmworker, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animal
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$36,670median a year
Growth
−3.2%
Openings / yr
26,600
Education
No formal credential
Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees.
19
19. Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$35,730median a year
Growth
−3.4%
Openings / yr
5,800
Education
No formal credential
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
20
20. Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$35,660median a year
Growth
−2.4%
Openings / yr
72,500
Education
No formal credential
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops.
21
21. Cultivated Meat Scientist
Specialty within food scientist and technologist
Median pay
$88,720median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.2%
Openings / yr
1,000
Education
Master's
Develops meat grown from animal cells rather than raised animals, working on cell lines, growth media, bioreactors and the texture and taste of the final product.
22
22. Plant Breeder
Specialty within soil and plant scientist
Median pay
$78,850median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.7%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Doctorate
Develops new crop varieties with higher yield, disease resistance or better quality using genetics and field trials.
23
23. Plant Pathologist
Specialty within soil and plant scientist
Median pay
$78,850median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.7%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Bachelor's
Diagnoses and studies plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and develops ways to control them.
24
24. Soil and Plant Scientist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Median pay
$78,850median a year
Growth
+6.7%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Bachelor's
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, phy…
25
25. Commodities Trader
Specialty within security, commodity, and financial services sales agent
Median pay
$78,660median (parent occupation)
Growth
+1.4%
Openings / yr
35,100
Education
Bachelor's
Buys and sells physical commodities and futures contracts, such as grain, metals or oil, to profit from or hedge price changes.
26
26. Entomologist
Specialty within wildlife biologist
Median pay
$76,780median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.6%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Bachelor's
Studies insects, from crop pests and disease-carrying mosquitoes to pollinators, and develops ways to manage them.
27
27. Range Manager
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Median pay
$73,010median a year
Growth
+5.3%
Openings / yr
2,100
Education
Bachelor's
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
28
28. Animal Scientist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Median pay
$68,940median a year
Growth
+5.8%
Openings / yr
200
Education
Bachelor's
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
29
29. Cannabis Cultivation Director
Specialty within first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
Median pay
$59,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.8%
Openings / yr
7,200
Education
High school
Leads a licensed cannabis grow, deciding genetics, lighting, nutrients and climate, and managing the team that turns plants into harvest-ready product.
30
30. Winemaker
Specialty within food science technician
Median pay
$52,130median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.8%
Openings / yr
3,000
Education
Bachelor's
Turns harvested grapes into finished wine, directing fermentation, aging, blending and bottling at a winery.
31
31. Animal Breeder
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Median pay
$51,130median a year
Growth
+3.0%
Openings / yr
1,000
Education
High school
Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring.
32
32. Pesticide Handler, Sprayer, and Applicator, Vegetation
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Median pay
$46,340median a year
Growth
+3.9%
Openings / yr
3,300
Education
High school
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops.
33
33. Cheesemaker
Specialty within food batchmaker
Median pay
$42,290median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.5%
Openings / yr
23,100
Education
High school
Turns milk into cheese by controlling cultures, curd, pressing and aging, at dairy plants, creameries and farmstead operations.
34
34. Bird Abatement Falconer
Specialty within animal trainer
Median pay
$39,990median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.2%
Openings / yr
6,500
Education
High school
Uses trained hawks and falcons to scare nuisance birds away from airports, landfills, farms, vineyards and buildings, under a federal abatement permit.
35
35. Equine Dental Technician
Specialty within animal caretaker
Median pay
$35,360median (parent occupation)
Growth
+12.1%
Openings / yr
62,800
Education
Certificate
Files and balances horses' teeth and maintains their dental health, working under state rules that often require veterinary oversight for sedation and extractions.
36
36. Farrier
Specialty within animal caretaker
Median pay
$35,360median (parent occupation)
Growth
+12.1%
Openings / yr
62,800
Education
High school
A skilled tradesperson who trims horses' hooves and forges, shapes and fits horseshoes, often working with veterinarians on lameness and therapeutic shoeing.

Questions

Jobs in Agriculture: FAQ

What is the top career on the jobs in agriculture list?

Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary leads the list with a median wage of $98,700 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +2.9% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is doctorate.

How was this list put together?

Careers that grow and manage food and fibre, from farm and ranch managers to agronomists, soil scientists, agricultural engineers and inspectors. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers that grow and manage food and fibre, from farm and ranch managers to agronomists, soil scientists, agricultural engineers and inspectors. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.

How much do jobs in agriculture pay?

Across the 36 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $54,340 a year, from $35,360 at the bottom to $98,700 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.

How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?

17 of the 36 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).