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How to hire a farm supervisor

Farm supervisor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring farm supervisors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a farm supervisor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new farm supervisor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a farm supervisor, step by step

To hire a farm supervisor, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a farm supervisor, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step farm supervisor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a farm supervisor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new farm supervisor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your farm supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a farm supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a farm supervisor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a farm supervisor that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of farm supervisors.

    Type of Farm SupervisorDescriptionHourly rate
    Farm SupervisorFarmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers operate establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.$14-40
    Farm ManagerFarm managers are professionals who manage a staff of farm professionals to handle various administrative tasks and monitor crops and domestic animals within a farm. These managers are required to work in growing cultivated plants that are harvested for food, clothing, and fuel while ensuring that the crops are properly stored and packaged for purchase... Show more$16-39
    SupervisorSupervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met... Show more$14-44
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Harvest
    • Payroll
    • Farm Work
    • Farm Operations
    • Weed Control
    • Safety Program
    • DOT
    • Mowing
    • Farm Machinery
    • GPS
    • Milking
    • FDA
    • Equipment Operation
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage 1million broilers production and keep key performance indicators.
    • Manage CSA program and wholesale accounts and maintain working relationships with community organizations and retailers.
    • Improve the CIP and OPC systems.
    • Manage CSA program and wholesale accounts and maintain working relationships with community organizations and retailers.
    • Used hoists and cranes to lift work pieces to machine.
    More farm supervisor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your farm supervisor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A farm supervisor salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, farm supervisors' average salary in oregon is 59% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level farm supervisors earn 63% less than senior-level farm supervisors.
    • Certifications. A farm supervisor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a farm supervisor's salary.

    Average farm supervisor salary

    $51,680yearly

    $24.85 hourly rate

    Entry-level farm supervisor salary
    $31,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average farm supervisor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Connecticut$56,935$27
    2Indiana$53,197$26
    3Michigan$48,475$23
    4Georgia$40,351$19
    5California$36,356$17
    6Alabama$35,061$17
    7Hawaii$33,904$16
    8Washington$30,854$15
    9Florida$29,104$14

    Average farm supervisor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Bath & Body Works$59,247$28.48
    2Molson Coors$54,340$26.13
    3Cal Poly$51,945$24.97
    4Tyson Foods$47,911$23.033
    5A Duda & Sons$45,865$22.05
    6TRADEBE TRANSPORTATION$45,705$21.97
    7TKM BENGARD FARMS$45,637$21.94
    8Rane (risk Assistance Network + Exchange)$45,495$21.87
    9University of Florida$39,256$18.87
    10The Wonderful Company$38,934$18.72
    11Menzies Aviation$38,305$18.4229
    12Compass Group USA$36,717$17.653
    13Auberge Resorts Collection$34,935$16.80
    14Canton Township, Michigan$33,216$15.97
    15Aeropostale$31,411$15.10
    16State of West Virginia$28,913$13.905
    17Pictsweet Farms$27,110$13.031
    18Seaboard$26,435$12.717
  4. Writing a farm supervisor job description

    A farm supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a farm supervisor job description:

    Farm supervisor job description example

    • Prioritizes product quality control. Coordinates all necessary pre-harvest, production activities such as chemical applications, mowing and irrigation requirements with Sod Farm Superintendent. Coordinates with sod harvest foreman and assists with harvesting, loading, deliveries, logistics, and customer relations. Closely monitors labor, equipment and material costs related to the harvest operation. Becomes familiar with operating the FireFly harvester.
    • Assists Sod Farm Superintendent in the prioritization of sod production best management practices (BMP's). Such practices will include the continued implementation of the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (FDACS) sod industry criteria. Existing and future technology such as precision control spray equipment and GPS will be a primary focus in this setting. Obtains Private Applicator's license within 90 days of hire date. Duda Sod to cover expense of training and licensing.
    • Carefully reviews harvest crew payroll before submittal to administrative team on a daily basis. Ensures that FireFly Harvester Matrix reports and safety meeting forms are completed in a timely manner. Administers employee performance reviews and development goals for direct reports.
    • Ensures that harvest employee safety is a top priority. Engages harvest personnel in meaningful safety meetings on a monthly basis. Obtains employee feedback and implements continued improvements to company safety protocols.
    • Will be required to work with location leadership in carrying out a variety of additional tasks that may or may not be related directly to the above duties. Some examples may include assisting with storm preparedness, our cattle operation, or location security needs.

    Requirements:

    • High School Diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree in the area of Turf Science, Plant Science, Soils and Fertility, Biology, Agronomy, Plant Pathology or Entomology preferred.
    • Pesticide Applicators License required or ability to obtain within first year of employment.
    • A minimum of five years experience in turf related trade or general agricultural experience.
    • Bilingual in Spanish preferred
    • Basic computer skills in Word and Excel

    A Duda & Sons, Inc., a diversified land management company operating for over 92 years, is currently seeking a Sod Farm Supervisor for its Sod Farm in Melbourne, FL (Cocoa Sod). Starting out as a humble celery farm in 1926, DUDA’s business operations today include Duda Farm Fresh Foods, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of celery and other quality fresh and fresh-cut vegetables and citrus; The Viera Company, a highly regarded community developer with fully-integrated real estate operations including Viera Builders, a residential home builder; as well as Duda Ranches, manager of DUDA’s agricultural operations including sod, sugarcane, citrus and cattle.

    At Duda, we offer a wide range of benefits as part of our total compensation package including but not limited to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and professional development.

    No agencies, please. Candidate must be authorized to work in the US and successfully pass a drug/background screening.

    Duda is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right farm supervisor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with farm supervisors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit farm supervisors who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your farm supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit farm supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with farm supervisor candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new farm supervisor

    Once you've decided on a perfect farm supervisor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new farm supervisor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a farm supervisor?

Before you start to hire farm supervisors, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire farm supervisors pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $51,680 per year for a farm supervisor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for farm supervisors in the US typically range between $14 and $40 an hour.

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