How long does the training take?

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

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?

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

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First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Farming & forestry · SOC 45-1011

$59,320US median pay, 2025

+3.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

7,200Openings 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)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers

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
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
Farm/Farm and Ranch Management	CIP 01.0104	48
Crop Production	CIP 01.0304	46
Plant Sciences, General	CIP 01.1101	44
Forestry, General	CIP 03.0501	43
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
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management	CIP 03.0301	22
Agricultural and Food Products Processing	CIP 01.0401	21
Aquaculture	CIP 01.0303	18
Dairy Science	CIP 01.0905	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
Poultry Science	CIP 01.0907	7
Forest Resources Production and Management	CIP 03.0510	6
Agricultural Production Operations, Other	CIP 01.0399	3

…and 1 more related programs.

See the 467 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers make?: The US median is $59,320 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?: 467 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.

Related careers in Farming & forestry

Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals · Agricultural equipment operators · Logging equipment operators · Fishing and hunting workers · Agricultural inspectors · Forest and conservation workers · Animal breeders