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Career overview · SOC 11-9013

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Also called: Aquaculture Director · Farm Manager · Farm Operations Technical Director · Fish Hatchery Manager · Greenhouse Manager · Harvesting Manager

Median pay (national)
$87,980
$51,700–$156,530 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
5,910
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-1.3%
~85,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $156,530 versus $51,700 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $87,980 leaves roughly 78% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -1.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 85,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 28 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $107,780, +23% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $56,200 — a 92% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
  • Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
  • Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
  • Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
  • Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
  • Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
  • Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
  • Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
  • Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.
  • Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Visio
  • SAP software
  • Accutech Systems Corporation AccuFarm-MGR
  • Advanced Veterinary Services Ranch Vision
  • Ag Connections Land.db
  • Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
  • AGCO Advanced Technology Solutions Fieldstar
  • AgData Blue Skies Accounting
  • Agevo Farm Manager
  • AgriSoft/CMC AgriSoft/ERP
  • AgTerra Technologies AgTrac

Knowledge areas

  • Administration and Management
  • Production and Processing
  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • English Language
  • Food Production
  • Economics and Accounting