How much does a farmer make?
The median farmer in the United States earns $87,980 per year, about $42.30 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all farmers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-9013.
Farmer salary range
Pay for farmers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $51,700 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $156,530. The average (mean) wage of $97,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,700 | $24.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $67,970 | $32.68 | |
| Median (50th) | $87,980 | $42.30 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $115,200 | $55.38 | |
| 90th percentile | $156,530 | $75.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers (SOC 11-9013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Farmer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Farmers earn the most in California at $107,780 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $56,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Washington | $89,450 | 110 |
| Maryland | $88,770 | 80 |
| Oregon | $88,620 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $88,290 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $85,060 | 100 |
| Michigan | $83,990 | N/A |
| Virginia | $79,770 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $79,690 | 180 |
| Kansas | $79,280 | 40 |
| New York | $78,130 | 100 |
| Missouri | $76,280 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $76,200 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $73,900 | N/A |
| Texas | $72,220 | 560 |
| Indiana | $68,610 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $67,930 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $66,870 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $64,500 | 110 |
| Ohio | $63,150 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $56,200 | N/A |
State median wages for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers (SOC 11-9013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for farmers
The BLS projects employment of farmers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 788,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 762,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 70,800 openings a year for farmers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a farmer
The typical entry-level education for farmers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a farmer earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $107,780) and the lowest (West Virginia, $56,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,910 people work as farmers in the United States. At $87,980 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Farmer salary FAQ
How much does a farmer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a farmer is $42.30. The middle half of farmers earn between $32.68 and $55.38 per hour.
What is the highest farmer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of farmers earn more than $156,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a farmer make a year?
The median annual salary for a farmer is $87,980. The average (mean) wage of $97,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a farmer a well paid job?
At $87,980 a year, a farmer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,910 people work as farmers in the United States.
Which state pays farmers the most?
California has the highest median salary for farmers at $107,780 a year. Maine ($104,000) and Iowa ($100,350) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a farmer a good career?
Employment of farmers is projected to shrink 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 70,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a farmer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for farmers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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