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Farmer salary
Average farmer salary
$14.83
Understanding Farmer Salaries
The average salary for farmers in the United States currently stands at around $30,845 per year or roughly $15 per hour. However, this average can fluctuate significantly based on numerous factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific agricultural sector in which one is employed.
State Variations in Earnings
Farmers in certain states tend to earn more, influenced by local demand and agricultural practices. For instance, states with a strong agricultural presence, such as California and Texas, often offer higher salaries due to the scale and profitability of their farming industries. Understanding these regional differences can help farmers make informed decisions about where to pursue employment.
Career Growth Opportunities
Additionally, specialization in high-demand areas, such as organic farming or sustainable practices, can lead to higher earnings. Farmers who invest in their education and skill development may find opportunities to increase their income significantly over time.
For those considering a career in farming, understanding these dynamics is essential for navigating a path that maximizes earning potential.
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Where can a Farmer earn more?
Farmer salary estimates from across the web
Average farmer salary by state
The average farmer salary in New Jersey, New York, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average farmer salary states are South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for farmers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $42,771 | $20.56 |
| 3 | New York | $42,203 | $20.29 |
| 4 | Maine | $39,209 | $18.85 |
| 5 | Michigan | $34,022 | $16.36 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $35,401 | $17.02 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $35,043 | $16.85 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $34,506 | $16.59 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $35,205 | $16.93 |
| 10 | Vermont | $32,497 | $15.62 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $30,569 | $14.70 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $30,043 | $14.44 |
| 13 | Nebraska | $28,178 | $13.55 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $28,095 | $13.51 |
| 15 | Arkansas | $27,219 | $13.09 |
| 16 | Iowa | $28,644 | $13.77 |
| 17 | Kansas | $28,303 | $13.61 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $29,686 | $14.27 |
| 19 | Utah | $28,253 | $13.58 |
| 20 | Illinois | $29,597 | $14.23 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $27,658 | $13.30 |
| 22 | Missouri | $28,306 | $13.61 |
| 23 | Oregon | $28,313 | $13.61 |
| 24 | Alabama | $27,612 | $13.28 |
| 25 | Idaho | $26,375 | $12.68 |
| 26 | Texas | $27,176 | $13.07 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $28,022 | $13.47 |
| 28 | Virginia | $29,981 | $14.41 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $27,561 | $13.25 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $27,917 | $13.42 |
| 31 | Indiana | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| 32 | Washington | $26,278 | $12.63 |
| 33 | Arizona | $28,725 | $13.81 |
| 34 | Colorado | $28,107 | $13.51 |
| 35 | Delaware | $28,559 | $13.73 |
| 36 | Ohio | $26,625 | $12.80 |
| 37 | Florida | $27,377 | $13.16 |
| 38 | California | $29,253 | $14.06 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| 40 | Alaska | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| 41 | Montana | $23,619 | $11.36 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $23,954 | $11.52 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $25,118 | $12.08 |
| 44 | Georgia | $21,955 | $10.56 |
| 45 | Nevada | $22,385 | $10.76 |
| 46 | Maryland | $26,262 | $12.63 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $23,222 | $11.16 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $23,327 | $11.21 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $24,060 | $11.57 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $22,247 | $10.70 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $21,470 | $10.32 |
Highest paying cities for farmers
The highest-paying cities for farmers are Kearny, NJ, New York, NY, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kearny, NJ | $43,638 | $20.98 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $29,293 | $14.08 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $29,248 | $14.06 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $28,709 | $13.80 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $28,028 | $13.47 |
| 7 | Plano, TX | $27,144 | $13.05 |
| 8 | Tacoma, WA | $26,019 | $12.51 |
| 9 | Sioux Falls, SD | $24,069 | $11.57 |
| 10 | Charleston, SC | $23,284 | $11.19 |
| 11 | Waukesha, WI | $22,935 | $11.03 |
| 12 | New Iberia, LA | $21,466 | $10.32 |
Farmer salary details
A farmer's salary ranges from $13,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $71,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a farmer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $30,845 | $2,570 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
| 10th Percentile | $13,000 | $1,083 | $6 |
Highest paying farmer jobs
The highest paying types of farmers are barn manager, farm labour, and farm worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Labour | $26,720 | $2,227 | $12.85 | 25,319 |
| Farm Worker | $26,598 | $2,217 | $12.79 | 25,368 |
Top companies hiring farmers now:
Which companies pay farmers the most?
Farmer salaries at L'Oréal and Washington State University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average farmer salary at companies like Cargill and Tyson Foods are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L'Oréal | $56,074 | $26.96 |
| 2 | Washington State University | $50,718 | $24.38 |
| 3 | Cargill | $43,661 | $20.99 |
| 4 | Tyson Foods | $37,195 | $17.88 |
| 5 | Farmers Insurance | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 6 | Butterball | $34,468 | $16.57 |
| 7 | Bradshaw | $33,383 | $16.05 |
| 8 | Texas Department of Transportation | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| 9 | PSEA | $31,715 | $15.25 |
| 10 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $29,935 | $14.39 |
| 11 | Braum's | $29,218 | $14.05 |
| 12 | Grimaldi's Pizzeria | $29,153 | $14.02 |
| 13 | Sage Hospitality Group | $28,624 | $13.76 |
| 14 | Brinker International | $28,176 | $13.55 |
| 15 | Live Nation Entertainment | $27,728 | $13.33 |
| 16 | Sage Hospitality | $27,436 | $13.19 |
| 17 | City of Collinsville | $27,356 | $13.15 |
| 18 | Zingerman's | $26,792 | $12.88 |
| 19 | Vital Farms | $26,789 | $12.88 |
| 20 | AGCO | $26,744 | $12.86 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Farmer salary by industry
The average farmer salary varies across industries:
- The average farmer salary in the manufacturing industry is $34,338, the highest of any industry.
- The average farmer salary in the finance industry is $30,526.
- Farmers in the professional industry earn an average salary of $24,715, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for farmers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $34,338 | $16.51 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $30,526 | $14.68 |
| 3 | Insurance | $29,858 | $14.35 |
| 4 | Agriculture | $27,350 | $13.15 |
| 5 | Retail | $27,231 | $13.09 |
| 6 | Professional | $24,715 | $11.88 |
High paying farmer jobs
Farmer salary trends
The average farmer salary has risen by $1,554 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average farmer earned $29,291 annually, but today, they earn $30,845 a year. That works out to a 3% change in pay for farmers over the last decade.
Compare farmer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average farmer salary over time
Compare farmer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Farmer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,800 | $14.83 | -4.5% |
| 2024 | $32,200 | $15.50 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $30,800 | $14.80 | -2.5% |
| 2022 | $31,500 | $15.16 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $30,100 | $14.45 | +3.3% |
Recently added farmer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacann | Farmer | Dwight, IL | 06/24/2025 | $35,479 |
| Microhabitat | Urban Farmer | New York, NY | 06/20/2025 | $42,784 |
| Post Holdings | MN Farm Maintenance | Gaylord, MN | 06/18/2025 | $39,653 |
| City of Edmond, Ok | Farmer's Market Staff | Edmond, OK | 05/24/2025 | $28,592 |
| Pharmacann | Advanced Farmer | Maryland | 05/20/2025 | $36,523 |
| Sussex County Community College | Student Farmer | Newton, NJ | 05/16/2025 | $32,328 |
| Kickaas Cheese | Cheese Sales at Farmers Market! | Green Bay, WI | 05/12/2025 | $35,479 |
| Post Holdings Inc. | MN Farm Maintenance | Gaylord, MN | 05/07/2025 | $40,697 |
| Pharmacann | Advanced Farmer | Denver, CO | 05/07/2025 | $39,653 |
| WSU | Farmer 3 | Iarec | Adams, MA | 04/30/2025 | $39,804 |
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