How much does a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers in the United States earns $59,330 per year, about $28.53 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 45-1011.
First-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,610 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $90,840. The average (mean) wage of $63,360 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 | $39,610 | $19.04 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,660 | $22.91 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,330 | $28.53 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,640 | $36.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $90,840 | $43.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers (SOC 45-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
First-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn the most in Maryland at $76,670 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $47,650. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $76,670 | 450 |
| Georgia | $74,750 | 1,050 |
| Oklahoma | $74,550 | 340 |
| Arizona | $70,910 | 590 |
| Idaho | $69,300 | 560 |
| Vermont | $68,810 | 40 |
| New York | $68,160 | 390 |
| Indiana | $66,990 | 210 |
| Alaska | $66,700 | 30 |
| Mississippi | $65,990 | 510 |
| Illinois | $65,600 | 310 |
| Wisconsin | $65,340 | 230 |
| Delaware | $65,240 | 90 |
| Colorado | $64,990 | 740 |
| Minnesota | $63,570 | 280 |
| Maine | $62,910 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $62,400 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $61,040 | 240 |
| Washington | $60,930 | 1,140 |
| Iowa | $60,140 | 530 |
| Montana | $59,990 | 280 |
| Wyoming | $59,990 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $59,960 | 530 |
| Missouri | $59,840 | 420 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,750 | 580 |
| Michigan | $59,650 | 470 |
| Nevada | $59,490 | 200 |
| Virginia | $59,310 | 710 |
| Louisiana | $59,020 | 360 |
| Alabama | $58,870 | 580 |
| Nebraska | $58,510 | 140 |
| California | $57,550 | 10,680 |
| North Carolina | $57,410 | 640 |
| Utah | $57,190 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $56,980 | 460 |
| Texas | $56,940 | 1,290 |
| Connecticut | $56,470 | 70 |
| Kansas | $56,250 | 310 |
| Oregon | $55,370 | 860 |
| Hawaii | $54,770 | 150 |
| South Dakota | $54,770 | 140 |
| Rhode Island | $54,080 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $53,910 | 130 |
| Florida | $53,140 | 1,010 |
| New Jersey | $52,850 | 440 |
| West Virginia | $51,370 | 120 |
| Ohio | $50,630 | 260 |
| Kentucky | $49,610 | 300 |
| Arkansas | $47,650 | 190 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers (SOC 45-1011), 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 first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 57,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 59,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,200 openings a year for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers. 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 first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years 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 first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $76,670) and the lowest (Arkansas, $47,650) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 29,530 people work as first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers in the United States. At $59,330 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers is $28.53. The middle half of first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn between $22.91 and $36.84 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn more than $90,840 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers is $59,330. The average (mean) wage of $63,360 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 first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers a well paid job?
At $59,330 a year, a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 29,530 people work as first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers at $76,670 a year. Georgia ($74,750) and Oklahoma ($74,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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