How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers make?

The US median is $89,900 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

562 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-9013

$89,900US median pay, 2025

-3.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

70,800Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work in: farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations	CIP 01.0102	152
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General	CIP 01.0601	148
Agricultural Business and Management, General	CIP 01.0101	130
Animal Sciences, General	CIP 01.0901	116
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture	CIP 01.0308	72
Agricultural Production Operations, General	CIP 01.0301	64
Agronomy and Crop Science	CIP 01.1102	60
Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production	CIP 01.0302	56
Horticultural Science	CIP 01.1103	51
Farm/Farm and Ranch Management	CIP 01.0104	48
Crop Production	CIP 01.0304	46
Plant Sciences, General	CIP 01.1101	44
Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management	CIP 01.0307	40
Viticulture and Enology	CIP 01.1004	26
Plant Nursery Operations and Management	CIP 01.0606	23
Range Science and Management	CIP 01.1106	23
Aquaculture	CIP 01.0303	18
Ornamental Horticulture	CIP 01.0603	16
Dairy Science	CIP 01.0905	15
Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management	CIP 01.1105	15
Greenhouse Operations and Management	CIP 01.0604	14
Animal Sciences, Other	CIP 01.0999	11
Agricultural Business and Management, Other	CIP 01.0199	10
Dairy Husbandry and Production	CIP 01.0306	10
Livestock Management	CIP 01.0906	9

…and 9 more related programs.

See the 562 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers make?: The US median is $89,900 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 562 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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