Average Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers Salary in the United States
The national median salary for Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers is $87,980 per year. The middle 50% earn between $67,970 and $115,200, with 5,910 workers employed nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2024 estimates . Data covers 28 states and 35 metro areas.
Wage range
Pay distribution
Here is how Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers pay is distributed across workers nationally. The 10th percentile typically reflects entry-level or early-career pay, the median is the midpoint, and the 90th percentile represents the top earners in the field.
- 10th
- $51,700
- 25th
- $67,970
- Median
- $87,980
- 75th
- $115,200
- 90th
- $156,530
All values are percentiles of annual wages.
Pay is well above the national median for all US workers. This is an upper-income occupation.
Pay varies significantly across workers. Seniority, employer size, and specialization all move the needle, so it is normal for two farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers at different points in their careers to earn very different salaries.
BLS projections
Job outlook
BLS projects employment for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers from 2024 to 2034. This occupation is projected to shrink. Workers may face more competition for fewer openings, and the role may see automation or consolidation pressure.
- Projected growth
- -1.3%
- -11,100 net jobs over the projection period.
- Annual openings
- 85,500
- Includes growth plus replacements for workers who leave. Annual openings are high relative to the workforce size, reflecting meaningful turnover and new-hire volume.
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
A high-school diploma is typically sufficient for entry, with much of the training happening on the job.
Where Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers earn the most
Location matters for pay. The top-paying state is noticeably above the national median, so relocating to a higher-paying market can meaningfully boost earnings. Right now, the top-paying state is California at $107,780, about 22.5% above the national median. At the metro level, Napa, CA leads with a median of $124,170.
By state
Top-paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $107,780 | 1,340 |
| Maine | $104,000 | N/A |
| Iowa | $100,350 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,440 | N/A |
| Florida | $94,990 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $94,100 | 40 |
| Montana | $92,760 | 30 |
| Illinois | $90,370 | N/A |
By metro
Top-paying metros
| Metro area | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $124,170 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $123,380 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,820 | 90 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $121,950 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $119,700 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $112,690 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $111,260 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,990 | 40 |
Compare two locations side by side
Pick two states or metros to see farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers pay in each, along with a cost-of-living adjusted view.
Salary trend and related occupations
Between 2019 and 2024, the national median salary for Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers rose from $71,160 to $87,980, a gain of +23.6% in nominal dollars.
Over the same period, US consumer prices rose by +22.7%. Just to keep pace with inflation, the 2019 median of $71,160 would need to be worth $87,313 in 2024 dollars.
The actual 2024 median of $87,980 is $667 above that inflation-adjusted benchmark, a real change of +0.8% in purchasing power.
Wages have roughly kept pace with inflation. Nominal pay rose by 23.6%, but inflation absorbed most of it.
- Nominal change
- +23.6%
- 2019–2024
- Cumulative inflation
- +22.7%
- US CPI, 2019–2024
- Real change
- +0.8%
- After adjusting for inflation
Annual history
Median salary over time
Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers median pay by year, going back through the available BLS releases.
- 2019
- $71,160
- 2020
- $68,090
- 2021
- $73,060
- 2022
- $75,760
- 2023
- $83,770
- 2024
- $87,980
Similar jobs
Related occupations
Other occupations in the same field, with median pay for comparison.
- Gambling Managers
- $85,580
- Construction Managers
- $106,980
- Lodging Managers
- $68,130
- Food Service Managers
- $65,310
Common salary questions for Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers
What does the median salary mean? +
The median is the midpoint of all wages. Half of Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers workers earn more and half earn less. It is a better measure of typical pay than the average, which can be skewed by very high or very low earners.
Why does pay vary so much by location? +
Local labor markets, cost of living, industry concentration, and employer competition all affect wages. High-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often pay more in nominal terms, though some of that premium is offset by higher living costs.
How current is this salary data? +
This page uses the May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release. BLS publishes OEWS data once per year, typically in the spring for the previous May reference period.
What do the percentile ranges tell me? +
The 10th and 90th percentiles show the full pay band. The 25th to 75th percentile range, the middle 50%, is where most workers fall. A wide spread usually means experience, specialization, or location matter a lot for this occupation.