How To Become An Extension Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is an extension specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Extension services are rendered to farmers to help them to experience increased productivity in their farming business. Thankfully, agricultural practice is gaining momentum as so many people have come to embrace farming activities.

Extension specialists are trained individuals whose aim is to assist farmers and give instructions where and when necessary. They carry out research processes and apply the findings in solving emerging problems. They offer training on the planting procedures for different crops. They even train farmers on how to handle some equipment.

Are you looking to become an extension specialist? The qualification needed to fit into this career is a bachelor's degree in agricultural and extension education services, animal nutrition, crop production, or any related field. A master's degree may also prove valuable in some cases. Along with this, hands-on experience is a plus. Extension specialists earn a minimum of $52,150 per year.

ScoreExtension SpecialistUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $54,336

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.51%

Black or African American 7.63%

Hispanic or Latino 12.79%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.70%

Gender

female 73.62%

male 26.38%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Complexity level

1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Key steps to become an extension specialist

Explore extension specialist education requirements

Most common extension specialist degrees

Bachelor's

56.8 %

Master's

14.8 %

Associate

11.7 %

Start to develop specific extension specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Educational Programs	59.53%
Technical Assistance	23.77%
Community Organizations	3.90%
Food Safety	3.86%
CSU	2.53%

Research extension specialist duties and responsibilities

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Coordinate statewide IPM monitoring program in sweet corn.
Full body waxing with hard wax, certify and train for eyelash extensions.

Prepare your extension specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your extension specialist resume.

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Choose from 10+ customizable extension specialist resume templates

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