What Are 5 Careers in Agriculture? Pay, Study, Outlook

What are 5 careers in agriculture? Five strong choices are soil and plant scientist, animal scientist, agricultural engineer, farm or ranch manager and extension educator. In the United States, median pay for the five ranged from US$60,220 to US$98,590 a year in 2025, based on O*NET OnLine data for soil and plant scientists and the other roles below.

Each of the five careers sits in a different part of farming: the lab, the animal barn, the workshop, the farm office and the county meeting room. This guide explains what each job involves day to day, what study it needs, what it pays and how many openings are expected. It also includes three charts built from public data and a calculator that tests whether a master’s degree pays back over a period you choose.

5 careers in agriculture at a glance

The table compares the five careers. Pay is the US median wage for 2025 and openings are the yearly average projected for 2025 to 2035, both from O*NET OnLine, which draws on US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. O*NET lists extension educators under farm and home management educators.

Pay varies a lot by state, employer and years of experience. Use the median as a midpoint, not a promise: half of workers in each job earn less.

What is agriscience?

Agriscience, or agricultural science, is the use of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and economics to grow food, fibre and fuel. It covers how soil feeds a plant, how a cow turns feed into milk, how a pump moves water and how a farm business makes a profit. In high schools in the United States, agriscience is also the name of a class that mixes these subjects with hands-on projects.

Agriscience careers are wider than farming itself. The USDA-funded employment outlook from Purdue University sorts them into four groups: business and management, science and engineering, education and government services, and food and biomaterials production. The five careers in this guide come from all four groups, so you can compare very different kinds of work.

How many jobs are there in agriculture science?

The Purdue University report for USDA forecasts an average of 104,766 job openings a year in the United States from 2025 to 2030 for college graduates in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment. Business and management makes up the biggest share, with 42,855 openings a year, or 41%. Science and engineering has 22,298, or 21%.

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Yearly openings for US graduates by field

Average job openings per year, 2025-2030, food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and environment

Wider agriculture is a large part of the economy. Agriculture, food and related industries added about US$1.537 trillion to US gross domestic product in 2023, a 5.5% share, according to the USDA Economic Research Service’s charts of ag and food sectors. Farms themselves added US$222.3 billion of that, about 0.8% of GDP. Most jobs linked to food are off the farm, in processing, sales, research and services.

That is one reason why the science and management careers below keep finding work even as farms use fewer people. The USDA Economic Research Service farm labor page shows self-employed and family farmworkers fell from 7.60 million in 1950 to 2.06 million in 2000, while hired farmworkers fell from 2.33 million to 1.13 million. ERS links the fall to mechanization, which raised farm productivity and cut the need for hand labour. Since 1990, farm employment has been fairly stable.

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US farmworkers, 1950 vs 2000

Millions of workers, average annual employment

1. Soil and plant scientist

Soil and plant scientists study how crops grow and how soil supports them. They test new varieties, measure nutrients, study pests and diseases, and work out how to keep soil productive for the long term. Some work in labs and greenhouses. Others spend the growing season on research plots or on farms, taking samples and recording results.

O*NET OnLine lists a median wage of US$78,850 a year (US$37.91 an hour) for soil and plant scientists in 2025, with 19,900 people in the job. It projects growth of 7% or more from 2025 to 2035, which it rates as much faster than average, and about 1,400 openings a year. Most openings come from people retiring or changing jobs, not only from growth.

What the work looks like:

• Plan field trials that compare seed varieties, fertilizer rates or tillage methods.
• Take soil cores and plant tissue samples, then read the lab results.
• Use maps, GPS and satellite crop images to see how a field varies.
• Write reports for seed companies, farmers, government agencies or journals.

Who hires: seed and crop protection companies, fertilizer firms, universities, government research agencies, crop consultants and large farms.

Study path: a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, soil science, plant science or biology is the usual start. Research leadership posts often need a master’s or PhD. Many soil scientists also earn a professional certificate, such as Certified Crop Adviser in North America.

Best for: people who enjoy both outdoor field days and careful lab work, and who like to test ideas with numbers.

2. Animal scientist

Animal scientists work on the health, feeding, breeding and welfare of farm animals. They might design a ration that gives dairy cows more milk per kilogram of feed, study genetics to breed hardier cattle, or test housing that lowers stress in pigs and poultry. The work links biology with the business side of a livestock farm.

O*NET OnLine reports a median wage of US$68,940 a year for animal scientists in 2025, with about 3,400 people employed. It projects faster than average growth of 5% to 6% from 2025 to 2035 and about 200 openings a year. It is a small field, so jobs can be competitive, but the skills also carry over to feed companies, breeding firms and animal health sales.

What the work looks like:

• Test feeds and supplements on animal growth, milk or egg output.
• Run breeding programmes using genetic data and records.
• Advise farms on housing, welfare and disease prevention.
• Teach and carry out research at a university.

Who hires: feed and nutrition companies, breed associations, genetics firms, universities, government agencies and large livestock operations.

Study path: O*NET OnLine lists a bachelor’s degree as required. A degree in animal science is the usual route, and research roles often ask for a PhD. Work on a livestock farm while studying helps a great deal.

Best for: people who like animals but also want science, data and problem solving, not only hands-on care.

3. Agricultural engineer

Agricultural engineers design the machines, buildings and systems that farms use. Their work covers tractors and harvesters, irrigation and drainage, grain storage, livestock barns, food processing lines and the sensors and software that guide modern equipment. Some focus on soil and water conservation, such as ponds, terraces and runoff control.

Agricultural engineering is the best paid of the five careers in this list. O*NET OnLine gives a median wage of US$98,590 a year (US$47.40 an hour) for agricultural engineers in 2025. It is also a small job group, with about 1,500 people employed and about 100 openings a year, though O*NET projects growth of 7% or more from 2025 to 2035.

What the work looks like:

• Design irrigation systems, including drip, pivot and automated control.
• Test and improve farm machinery, including guidance and automation.
• Plan barns, grain bins and storage that keep crops and animals safe.
• Check that designs meet safety and environmental rules.

Who hires: equipment makers, irrigation firms, engineering consultancies, food processors, government conservation agencies and universities.

Study path: a bachelor’s degree in agricultural, biological systems or mechanical engineering. In the United States a Professional Engineer licence helps for senior design roles. In the UK, the National Careers Service profile for agricultural engineers lists university courses, college courses and apprenticeships as routes in, with degrees in agricultural engineering, agricultural technology, or mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering.

Best for: people who like maths, building things and seeing a design work in the field.

4. Farm or ranch manager

Farm and ranch managers run the day-to-day business of a farm. They decide what to plant or raise, buy seed, feed and fuel, hire and lead staff, keep records, sell the crop and manage money. Some own the farm. Others manage land for families, investors or companies.

O*NET OnLine lists 788,700 farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers in 2025, with a median wage of US$89,900 a year (US$43.22 an hour). It projects a decline of 1% or more from 2025 to 2035. Even so, it expects about 70,800 openings a year, far more than any other career in this guide, because people leave the job by retiring or moving to other work.

The pay figure needs care. The median covers wage and salary managers. Farm owners’ income depends on prices, weather and costs, and can swing widely from one year to the next. Check local rules and get professional advice before buying land or taking on farm debt.

What the work looks like:

• Plan crops or herds and set budgets for the season.
• Track field and animal records, often in software and apps.
• Read satellite crop maps, weather data and soil tests to plan fieldwork.
• Negotiate with buyers, lenders, landlords and suppliers.

Who hires: family farms, farm management companies, agricultural investors, cooperatives and large growers. Many managers also start their own business.

Study path: O*NET places this job in Job Zone Four, where most jobs need a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some do not. Practical farm experience counts heavily. A degree in agribusiness, agricultural economics or agronomy helps with the money and planning side.

Best for: people who want to run a business, make decisions under risk and lead a team.

5. Extension educator

Extension educators, also called extension agents or specialists, take research from universities to farmers, gardeners and rural communities. They run field days, answer questions on pests and soil, test new methods with local farmers and write short guides. In the United States, they work for the Cooperative Extension System.

According to the Extension Foundation, the system is run through the nation’s 112 land-grant universities and colleges, with thousands of university and county-based employees and over 2 million volunteers in every state and US territory. Similar advisory services exist in other countries, such as provincial agriculture ministries in Canada and state agriculture departments in Australia.

O*NET OnLine tracks extension educators as farm and home management educators, a group that also includes 4-H and family and consumer sciences educators. It lists a median wage of US$60,220 a year in 2025, about 9,700 people employed, a projected decline of 1% or more from 2025 to 2035 and about 800 openings a year. Actual pay is set by each university and state. For comparison, agricultural sciences teachers at colleges and universities had a median of US$98,700 a year in 2025, according to O*NET’s page for postsecondary agricultural sciences teachers.

What the work looks like:

• Run workshops, field days and online classes for farmers.
• Visit farms to help with crop, pest or livestock problems.
• Set up local trials with growers and share the results.
• Lead youth programmes such as 4-H in many US counties.

Who hires: land-grant universities, county offices, state agriculture departments and some non-profit groups.

Study path: a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture subject is the minimum. Many specialist posts ask for a master’s degree.

Best for: people who like teaching, travel to farms and working with many different people.

Other agriscience careers worth a look

If none of the five careers fits, these related jobs use many of the same skills:

• Agricultural technician: helps scientists run trials and test samples. O*NET OnLine lists a median of US$49,630 a year in 2025, 19,500 people employed and about 2,800 openings a year, with faster than average growth.
• Conservation scientist: manages land, water and soil conservation on public and private land. O*NET OnLine gives a median of US$73,010 a year, 27,700 people employed and about 2,100 openings a year.
• Agricultural science teacher: teaches at a college or university, with a median of US$98,700 a year (O*NET, 2025).
• Agribusiness sales and finance: sells seed, machinery or crop inputs, or lends to farms. This sits in the business and management group, the largest in the Purdue forecast.
• Agricultural data analyst: works with yield maps, satellite images and farm records. Job titles vary, so search for “precision agriculture” or “agronomic data” roles.

▶ Twenty agriculture careers, what each one does on a typical day and what it pays in the US. · 7:04

Agriculture science salary compared

The chart compares median US pay for the main agriscience jobs. Remember that these are national medians for wage and salary workers. Starting pay is usually lower, and pay in high-cost states and in private industry is often higher.

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Median US pay in agriscience jobs

US$ per year, median wage, 2025

For all of these jobs, pay tends to rise with a higher degree, a professional licence or certificate, and years of field experience. Readers outside the United States should check their own national data. In the UK, the National Careers Service publishes job profiles, and in Canada the Job Bank lists wages by region.

How to choose an agriculture career

Use these five questions to narrow your choice:

1. Where do you want to work? Lab and field (scientist), workshop and design office (engineer), farm office and fields (manager), or on the road with farmers (extension).
2. Do you like plants, animals or machines best? Soil and plant science, animal science and engineering split along these lines.
3. How much study will you do? All five usually start with a bachelor’s degree. Research roles often need a PhD; farm management relies more on experience.
4. How many openings do you need nearby? Farm management has tens of thousands of openings a year. Animal science and agricultural engineering have a few hundred or fewer, so you may need to move.
5. Do you want to run your own business? Farm management and agribusiness offer that route. Science and extension jobs are mostly salaried.

▶ Ten small agriculture businesses you can start without owning a farm. · 6:03

Steps to start a career in agriculture science

1. Take science and maths in school. Biology, chemistry and maths open every one of the five careers. An agriscience class or a club such as FFA or 4-H in the United States, or Young Farmers’ Clubs in the UK, adds hands-on projects.
2. Get farm or lab experience early. Summer work on a farm, at a seed company or in a university lab shows employers you know the work.
3. Choose a degree that matches your target job. Agronomy or soil science for plant work; animal science for livestock; agricultural or biological systems engineering for design; agribusiness or agricultural economics for management.
4. Learn digital tools. GIS maps, spreadsheets, farm records software and satellite crop images are now used in all five careers.
5. Do an internship. Many employers hire graduates who have already worked with them.
6. Add a certificate or licence. Examples are Certified Crop Adviser for agronomists and Professional Engineer for engineers.
7. Decide whether a master’s degree is worth it. Use the calculator below to test the numbers for your own case.

Is a master’s degree worth it in agriculture science?

A master’s degree can lead to higher pay and to research and specialist posts, but it costs tuition and often one or two years of lost earnings. The calculator below compares the cost with the extra pay over a period you choose. All default values are examples set close to break-even; replace them with your own tuition, current salary and expected pay rise.

The calculator does not include tax, interest on student loans, pay rises over time, or scholarships and assistantships, which many agriculture graduate students receive. For a real decision, check the course’s own fee page and talk to a careers adviser.

Try the numbers for your own farm below.

Skills that matter in every agriculture career

Whatever career you choose, employers look for a similar mix of skills:

• Science basics: soil, plant and animal biology, and basic chemistry.
• Data skills: spreadsheets, statistics and reading maps and charts.
• Digital farming tools: GPS guidance, sensors, drones and satellite crop monitoring.
• Business sense: budgets, costs, prices and risk.
• Communication: explaining results clearly to farmers, managers and the public.
• Safety and rules: chemical labels, environmental rules and farm safety. Always follow the product label and local rules when handling pesticides or fertilizers.

Technology is a big part of this list. Satellite images now show crop health, water stress and growth for whole fields every few days. Systems such as the Farmonaut Satellite + AI Farm Monitoring System put these maps on a phone or computer, so scientists, managers and extension staff can check many fields without walking each one. Learning to read these maps is a useful skill for any of the five careers.

Where agriculture careers are heading

Several trends are shaping agriscience jobs:

• More data on every farm. Yield monitors, soil sensors and satellite images create data that someone must read and turn into decisions.
• Automation. Guided tractors, robotic milking and automated irrigation need engineers and technicians to design, install and repair them.
• Soil health and conservation. Interest in cover crops, carbon measurement and water quality keeps soil scientists and conservation scientists busy.
• Fewer, larger farms. O*NET projects a decline in the number of farm managers, but larger farms need managers with strong business and data skills.
• Traceability. Buyers want to know where food comes from, which creates work in supply chain records and auditing.

The Purdue forecast for USDA expects the business and management group to keep the largest share of openings for graduates through 2030, so business skills are a safe addition to any science degree.

Related pages on our site: fertilizer planning with AI, automated drip irrigation systems, farm carbon footprint tracking, food supply chain traceability, crop loans and insurance data, farm fleet tracking, large farm administration, satellite and weather data for developers and the crop monitoring app.

▶ How farm technology changes jobs, money and internet access in rural towns. · 3:50

FAQ

What are 5 careers in agriculture?

Five common careers are soil and plant scientist, animal scientist, agricultural engineer, farm or ranch manager and extension educator. In the United States, the five had median pay between US$60,220 and US$98,590 a year in 2025 (O*NET OnLine).

What is the highest paying career in agriculture science?

Of the careers in this guide, agricultural engineers had the highest median US pay at US$98,590 a year in 2025, close to college agricultural science teachers at US$98,700 (O*NET OnLine). Senior managers in large agribusiness firms can earn more, but pay varies widely.

Which agriculture career has the most job openings?

Farm and ranch management, with about 70,800 openings a year projected for 2025 to 2035 in the United States, mostly from people retiring or leaving the job. Across all graduate-level fields, the Purdue forecast for USDA expects 104,766 openings a year from 2025 to 2030.

Do you need a degree to work in agriculture?

Not for every job. Farm work and some technician roles can start with on-the-job training. The five careers in this guide usually need at least a bachelor’s degree, and research posts often need a master’s or PhD.

What is agriscience?

Agriscience is the science of farming: using biology, chemistry, engineering and economics to grow food, fibre and fuel. It is also the name of a school subject in the United States that teaches these ideas through projects.

Is agriculture a good career for the future?

Science jobs such as soil and plant scientist and agricultural engineer are projected to grow much faster than average to 2035 (O*NET OnLine), and the USDA-funded Purdue report expects steady demand for graduates. Farm manager numbers are projected to fall slightly, but people retiring or leaving the job still create many openings.