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Farmer / Rancher

$87,980
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Run a farm or ranch, planning crops or livestock, managing budgets, and overseeing the work.

Where you work

Farms, ranches, and open land.

The hours

Long days that shift with the seasons

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$87,980
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~85,500
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
-1%
Little change
Working in the U.S.
836,100
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

High school / no degree

Training path: On-the-job experience.

License or certification

No license required to start in most places.

What it takes

Crop and livestock knowledgeBusiness managementEquipment operationProblem solving

The honest take

Median pay looks strong, but income swings hard with weather, prices, and land costs.

Standard Occupational Classification 11-9013. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.