Is Agriculture a Good Career Path? (With Benefits, Jobs and Salaries)

Written by Indeed Editorial Team

Updated December 10, 2025

On this page

For employers:Post a Job on IndeedAgriculture is an essential industry in the United States, employing millions of Americans every year. The agriculture sector provides many jobs for scientists, farmers, food specialists, animal care professionals, ecologists and environmental specialists. If you’ve ever considered working in agriculture, learning more about this career path might be beneficial.In this article, we discuss whether agriculture is a good career path by describing the benefits of an agriculture career, listing jobs, providing salary information and explaining how to start your career in agriculture.

Find your next job more quickly

Job seekers who use Indeed Career Scout are 38% more likely to get hired.

Learn moreSource: Indeed test data, US, May 2025, based on the average hires per apply

Search jobs and companies hiring nowJob title, keywords, or companyLocationFind Jobs

Is agriculture a good career path?

While an agricultural career isn’t suitable for everyone, it’s a rewarding choice for many people. Here are some of the top benefits of working in agriculture:

Fulfillment

Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural experts have some of the most important jobs in our country. They provide the food we need and are often active in ecology and environmental protection. Working in agriculture gives people a chance to work outside with their hands and learn more about the natural world around them. It can also be an excellent way to live more sustainably and assist in environmental conservation.Working in agriculture can also allow you to make a difference in your community. You can use your career in agriculture to ensure that people in your area receive the food they need. These factors can make agriculture an enriching career path for a motivated animal, plant and nature lovers.Related:FAQ: What Can You Do With an Agriculture Degree?

Demand

Although jobs in some areas of agriculture are diminishing, many sectors continue to grow. Demand for applicants in these jobs is often high since they are not the most popular among job seekers. Additionally, increasing urbanization is removing potential workers from rural areas, making it less likely for them to work in agriculture. You could have plenty of career opportunities if you want to learn the specialized skills required to grow food and raise animals.Related:15 Jobs Within Agriculture

Options

Agriculture is a huge industry that includes many separate professions. Some jobs involve working directly with animals or planting food crops, while others require more education and training. If you’re interested in science, you could work as an agronomist, soil scientist or food scientist. If you’re interested in medicine, you could consider a career in veterinary medicine. No matter your interests, there’s likely to be a suitable job in the agricultural sector.Related:15 Highest-Paying Jobs in Agriculture

Related jobs on Indeed

Part-time jobs

Full-time jobs

Remote jobs

Urgently hiring jobs

View more jobs on Indeed

10 jobs in agriculture

Here is a list of careers in agriculture that you can explore. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.

1. Farm worker

National average salary:$43,527 per yearPrimary duties: Farm workers complete much of the labor required to operate a farm or ranch. Their duties could include planting crops, fertilizing fields, operating heavy machinery, repairing equipment, applying pesticides and herbicides, irrigating crops, harvesting crops and packing shipments. On animal farms and ranches, farm workers are often responsible for feeding animals and caring for them in other ways. This career doesn’t require a college degree but may require specialized training.

2. Agricultural specialist

National average salary:$55,289 per yearPrimary duties: The term “agricultural specialist” can refer to a couple of different occupations. Some agricultural specialists work for U.S. government agencies, especially Customs and Border Protection (CPB). They enforce laws related to the transportation of agricultural produce across national borders. Other agricultural specialists are experts in agricultural policy and best practices. They often help farmers and ranchers optimize their operations and maintain legal compliance.

3. Farm or ranch manager

National average salary:$57,308 per yearPrimary duties: Farm and ranch managers oversee the everyday operations of crop and livestock farms. While not always necessary, many individuals have degrees in agriculture and related fields. Farm managers also require a deep understanding of best practices to ensure safety and productivity. Typical tasks for farm managers include overseeing planting, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting and storage, optimizing agricultural processes, purchasing equipment, hiring farmhands and participating in daily farm work.

4. Grower

National average salary:$62,218 per yearPrimary duties: A grower is an agricultural expert who cultivates plants. They might work in greenhouses or small farms. Their primary responsibilities include planting and caring for botanical products, trimming and harvesting plants, maintaining tools and irrigation systems, managing inventory and preventing disease.

5. Food technologist

National average salary:$68,877 per yearPrimary duties: Food technologists are food scientists who plan and oversee food product manufacture. They may have a wider variety of tasks, including ensuring safety and hygiene in manufacturing plants, designing food production processes, testing food samples, developing new food products, adjusting existing recipes, locating food sources and monitoring additives. They also ensure that food producers comply with government regulations, conduct research and collaborate closely with producers and plant employees.

6. Agronomist

National average salary:$70,003 per yearPrimary duties: Agronomists specialize in soil and its relation to food production. They require a deep knowledge of soil structures, fertility, botany and agricultural production methods. Typical tasks for these professionals include evaluating seed and soil quality, assessing farm productivity, taking soil, seed, plant and water samples, offering recommendations to improve production and recommending sources for seeds. Their main goal is to solve fertility issues for farmers and enhance crop production.Related:What Is an Agronomist? Plus Duties and How To Become One

7. Agronomy manager

National average salary:$81,811 per yearPrimary duties: Agronomy managers support sales teams that sell agricultural products to farmers. They might have a wide range of responsibilities, including educating representatives on seed varieties and hybrids, providing information on farming practices and needs in their areas and collecting data on local horticulture practices. An agronomy manager might also develop training materials, hold training sessions, collaborate with farmers, develop sales strategies, conduct outreach or propose marketing strategies.

8. Agricultural equipment technician

National average salary:$59,953 per yearPrimary duties: Agricultural equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy farm equipment. They require a unique knowledge base regarding the tools and vehicles that farmers and ranchers use daily. This equipment includes tractors, irrigation systems, harvesters, combines, plows, seeders, balers and harrows. An agricultural equipment technician’s job includes repairing these machines, installing new parts, conducting routine maintenance and documenting their activities.Related:What Are Agricultural Technicians? (With Duties and FAQs)

9. Agribusiness manager

National average salary:$99,484 per yearPrimary duties: Agribusiness managers oversee the business operation of a farm or ranch. Unlike farm or ranch managers, their job focuses more on the business side of the process. They may develop marketing strategies, recruit employees, find distributors and retailers, secure suppliers or manage finances. Agribusiness managers also create schedules and budgets, develop production plans and assess weather, soil and disease factors to see how they might impact their business. These individuals may also work with government organizations to secure grants and subsidies or remain legally compliant.Related:What Is Agribusiness? A Guide to the Agriculture Industry

10. Veterinarian

National average salary:$120,679 per yearPrimary duties: Veterinarians deal with animals’ health and well-being. They play an important role in the agricultural industry and some veterinarians specialize in working with animals such as horses, pigs, cattle, chickens and sheep. Veterinarians conduct examinations of sick or injured animals, prescribe medicines, conduct surgical operations and assist with the birth of infant animals.Related:Learn About Being a Veterinarian

How to start a career in agriculture

The field of agriculture includes a wide variety of careers, each requiring a slightly different approach. Although every path is different, these are some steps you can take to enter the field of agriculture:

1. Consider your educational options

Since agriculture includes so many career paths, there isn’t a single educational path for everyone in the industry. For example, if you want to work on a farm as a grower or farmhand, there are no specific academic requirements. Similarly, you can become an agricultural equipment technician after attending a technical school rather than a college. If you want to manage a farm or a ranch, it might help to have a degree in agricultural science, but farming experience is usually enough.Conversely, some jobs in agriculture require extensive education. Agronomists and food technologists need a scientific education, including a bachelor’s and sometimes a master’s degree in agricultural science, food science or a related field. Veterinarians also undergo a long educational process and must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. This usually requires an extra four years after completing a bachelor’s degree. If you want to work in agribusiness, a business degree might be beneficial, but farming knowledge is essential.Related:12 Careers in Agriculture To Explore (With Salaries)

2. Look for training and educational opportunities

Aside from college and technical schools, there are many other educational and training opportunities that you can pursue. For example, if you want to gain experience in the agricultural industry, find out if any local farms are hiring short-term workers or running training programs. You may also be able to find an agricultural internship through your school.Related:What Is Agricultural Biology? (Plus Jobs in the Field)

3. Get work experience

If your chosen job doesn’t require a college degree, working alongside farmers is the best way to find new opportunities. For example, if you want to work as a ranch manager, find a ranch that’s hiring and work as a ranch hand for a few years. This can familiarize you with the operation of a ranch and introduce you to others in the industry. If you’re looking for a more specialized position, some recruiters focus on filling roles in agriculture. Contact one of these firms and see if they have any openings that suit your experience and goals.Related:How To Become a Farmworker (With Job Duties and Salary)

Salary and job outlook for agriculture professionals

Since agriculture includes so many different jobs, there isn’t a single average salary for the entire industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides mean salary data for several sectors within agriculture, including:

The BLS also provides job outlook data for these career fields. The percentage represents the expected increase or decrease in demand for the occupation between 2021 and 2031:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Esd3Qp5qEwc?rel=0

Video: Ultimate Job Interview Guide – What To Expect Plus Top 6 Tips

Jenn, a career coach, provides a look at the interviewing process and shares tips on how to position yourself for success at every step.

 

By Will Hogan
Will Hogan
Send Email