Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington WA | $126,170 | $60.66/hr | $124,060 | 40 | Yakima, WA | 101.7 |
| #2 | Nebraska NE | $120,570 | $57.97/hr | $111,329 | 40 | Omaha, NE-IA | 108.3 |
| #3 | California CA | $114,379 | $54.99/hr | $78,181 | 1,400 | Napa, CA | 146.3 |
| #4 | North Carolina NC | $102,015 | $49.05/hr | $78,052 | 60 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 130.7 |
| #5 | New York NY | $96,480 | $46.38/hr | $53,303 | 50 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 181.0 |
| #6 | Texas TX | $95,340 | $45.84/hr | $82,760 | 200 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 115.2 |
| #7 | Michigan MI | $87,645 | $42.14/hr | $90,542 | 80 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 96.8 |
| #8 | Pennsylvania PA | $86,580 | $41.63/hr | $72,210 | 40 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 119.9 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, & career ladder progression for Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural. Official 2026 economic data for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers is $89,900 per year ($43.22/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 36 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $79,040 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD to $158,660 in Napa, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $158,660 | +76.5% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $142,560 | +58.6% |
| Yakima, WA | $126,170 | +40.3% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $125,070 | +39.1% |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $123,340 | +37.2% |
| Salinas, CA | $122,630 | +36.4% |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $120,570 | +34.1% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $111,470 | +24.0% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $110,840 | +23.3% |
| Modesto, CA | $109,630 | +21.9% |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $109,140 | +21.4% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $108,310 | +20.5% |