CFChooseField
Management

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
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Median pay

$87,980
Median annual pay for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-1.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

85,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

836,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-11,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administration and Management
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Biology
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Personnel and Human Resources

Abilities

  1. 1Deductive Reasoning
  2. 2Inductive Reasoning
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Category Flexibility

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Leadership Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Perseverance
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Initiative

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Scheduling Work and Activities
  5. 5Thinking Creatively
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Freedom to Make Decisions
  4. 4Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyAtlassian Confluence · hot technologyPayroll software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.