How To Hire A Ranch Hand

Research Summary. Some key points about hiring a ranch hands in the United States include:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a ranch hand is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per ranch hand on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 17,375 ranch hands in the US and 4,309 job openings.
  • Kingsville, TX, has the highest demand for ranch hands, with 6 job openings.
  • Stephenville, TX has the highest concentration of ranch hands.

jobs
Post A Job For Free, Promote It For A Fee

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Ranch Hand

There are different types of costs for hiring ranch hands. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new ranch hand employee.

You can expect to pay around $27,569 per year for a ranch hand, 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 ranch hands in the US typically range between $10 and $16 an hour.

Find Better Talent in Less Time
Post a Job on Zippia and take the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

How to hire a Ranch Hand, step by step

To hire a ranch hand, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a ranch hand:

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

1
Identify Your Needs

Before you get started with hiring a ranch hand, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

Determine Employee vs Contractor Status
Your Progress
1/10
Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

A ranch hand's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ranch hands from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

Here's a comparison of the average salaries of common ranch hand roles:

Type Of Ranch HandDescriptionHourly Rate
Ranch HandAgricultural workers maintain the quality of farms, crops, and livestock by operating machinery and doing physical labor under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.$10-16
GroomA groom is primarily in charge of maintaining the hygiene and appearance of pets. Typically working at grooming shops, a groom liaises with pet owners to identify their preferences, observe the pet's condition to identify its needs, and explain the extent of procedures to pet owners... Show More$10-20
Farm WorkerA farmworker is responsible for applying fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides to crops and livestock. You will operate agricultural machinery under the direction of a rancher, farmer, or an agricultural manager... Show More$10-15
Show More

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Ideally, you should have the perfect candidate profile in mind before you write a ranch hand job description. This means you should have a clear idea of the skill set they need to be proficient in, what their main responsibilities will be, and what kind of background they'll have.

Here are some of the most common ranch hand skills:

Common Skills:
  • Harvest
  • Farm Work
  • Farm Machinery
  • Physical Characteristics
  • Cattle Ranch
  • Farm Animals
  • Mowing
  • Water Livestock
  • Clean Stalls
  • Routine Maintenance
  • Drive Trucks
  • Shovels
  • Repair Equipment
  • Equipment Maintenance
Check All Skills

Here is a list of common responsibilities that ranch hands may be expected to fulfill:

Responsibilities:
  • Manage habitat, predators, whitetail and several species of exotic animals.
  • Assist with lessons and summer camps which include helping riders groom, tack up and mount.
  • Relocate wheel line sprinklers used to irrigate crops.
  • Halter training fillies and colts, handling mares, studs and foals
  • Operate a backhoe to dig dirt and move large oil field equipment.
  • Clean livestock stalls and sheds using disinfectant solutions, brushes, and shovels.
Check all Duties

Beyond the nuts and bolts, cultural fit is an important factor. It might help to ask yourself how your ideal ranch hand will live by the company's mission statement and contribute to the team dynamic you already have in place. Clearly communicating this vision in your ranch hand job description will help attract candidates who are better suited for the role.

Most Common States For Ranch Hands In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1Montana767%$25,423
2California400%$32,137
3New York250%$31,320
4Minnesota190%$28,751
5Wisconsin160%$29,397
Show More

Professional Project Manager CV example

3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in your job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A ranch hand can vary based on things like:

  • Location. For example, ranch hands' average salary in virginia is 39% less than in north dakota.
  • Seniority. Entry-level ranch hands 38% less than senior-level ranch hands.
  • Certifications. A ranch hand with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
  • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a ranch hand's salary.

Updated March 16, 2023

Ranch Hand Salary Estimate

$13.25hourly

$27,569 yearly
Entry level Salary
$21,000 yearly

Ranch Hand Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1North Dakota$36,509$18
2North Dakota$36,361$17
3North Dakota$36,332$17
4North Dakota$36,103$17
5North Dakota$35,956$17
Show More

Ranch Hand Average Salary By Company

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1Williams International$33,674$16.192
2Eco Material Technologies$32,580$15.66
3IBC Bank$31,831$15.30
4Eaton$31,545$15.171
5D.R. Horton$30,087$14.464
6Slide Ranch$29,463$14.16
7Amos Media$29,081$13.98
8Bob Schafer$28,895$13.89
9Braum's$28,848$13.87
10Consolidated Investment Group$28,667$13.78
11Grandy's$27,814$13.37
12No Frills Supermarket$27,612$13.28
13Newman and Company$27,557$13.25
14Bradley$27,487$13.21
15SADLER & Company$27,261$13.11
16Andrews Distributing$27,210$13.081
17Kyyba$27,158$13.06
18Childhelp$27,155$13.06
19International Business-Government Counsellors$26,919$12.941
20Gordon$26,910$12.94
Show More

4
Writing a Ranch Hand Job Description

A good ranch hand job description should include a few things:

  • Summary of the role
  • List of responsibilities
  • Required skills and experience
Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a ranch hand job description:

Example of Full Job Description

System One is seeking an experience Ranch Hand located in El Sueno/JB Ranch, D'Hanis, TX 78850

Length of Contract: 6+ months

Pay Rate Range: $15.38 - $18.85

Work Schedule: Picks up in Hunting Season (Nov.-Feb.) Hours are irregular. Subject to Change - Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM


Start Date: ASAP
Pay Rate Range: $19.00 - $25.00

System One is seeking a Ranch Assistant to work on a 7,000+ acre property 14 miles south of DHanis, TX, and about 55 miles west of San Antonio, TX. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a collaborative work environment, as well as able to work independently. This position is diverse as the responsibilities may vary daily in support of the ranch, as well as hunting and fishing operations of native South Texas game. Must be able to work as needed, including occasional late hours and weekends. A minimum of three years related ranch experience is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General grounds and lawn care on occasion

General field and shop activities

Building and facility maintenance/repair (painting, basic carpentry, plumbing)

Pest control

Watercraft and motor vehicle maintenance

Filling deer feeders

Processing game animals during hunting season(s)to include aging, scoring and guiding

Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must have at minimum one-year experience using the following equipment:

Dozer

Backhoe

Skidsteer

Skytrak

Tractor - shredding, plowing and planting

The ideal candidate must have:

A minimum of three years related ranch experience is required.

The ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively

Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs

Ability to routinely stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time

Ability to work in and around water at various levels.

Ranch experience

PREFERRED

Additional equipment experience that is a plus:

Dump Truck

Water Truck

Irrigation Pivots

Other:

The closest town to the ranch is Dhanis, Texas in Medina County. Housing on the ranch is not provided for this position. The position will have the same employee benefits package, vacation, time off, and savings-retirement plans as Zachry corporate employees. The work schedule is generally 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, although that can vary and increase at certain times of the year to include weekend work. A Zachry vehicle will be used while working on the ranch.

Candidates must be able to pass drug screening, reference and motor vehicle check and must have a valid drivers license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employee will be required to frequently work out-doors on a ranch, with exposure to the elements, conducting the above job responsibilities and more. Communicate in person, via telephone, email, use of arm/hand steadiness, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, multi-limb coordination, oral expression, and comprehension. Will be required to lift, carry and move a minimum of 10 lbs up to 50 lbs objects safely. Must possess a vision (corrected or uncorrected) that allows for clear visibility from a distance of 20 inches or less.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employee will work in multiple environments including outdoors at a ranch, in an office, warehouse and a trailer or building on site. Working at a ranch, you will typically see/encounter ranch wildlife as well as wild animals/reptiles, so caution and safety personal protective equipment is necessary. On work sites noise levels will be low to moderate. Job site will contain light to heavy-equipment vehicles, small to large ranch equipment, materials, communication equipment and tools, people standing, walking, sitting, signaling and talking, bells whistles and alarms.


5
Post A Job

There are a few common ways to find ranch hands for your business:

  • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
  • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
  • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
  • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

To find ranch hand candidates, you can consider the following options:

  • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
  • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as ag hires, farm job, farming work , joe produce, picking jobs.
  • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6
Interview Process

Recruiting ranch hands involves bringing your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they introduce their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

Don't forget to include a few questions that give a candidate chance to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their special skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, candidates who are good enough 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 Ranch Hand

Once you've decided on a perfect ranch hand candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should also include details such as 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8
Go Through The Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • 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.)
Sign Up To Download Full List
Are You An Employer?
Let us help you hire the right people for your Company.

Hiring Ranch Hands FAQs

How Much Does A Good Ranch Hand Cost?

A good ranch hand costs $13.25 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the ranch hand experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of A Ranch Hand?

The duties of a ranch hand are:
  • Manage habitat, predators, whitetail and several species of exotic animals.
  • Assist with lessons and summer camps which include helping riders groom, tack up and mount.
  • Relocate wheel line sprinklers used to irrigate crops.

Should I Hire A Ranch Hand With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire a ranch hand with no experience. Hiring an entry-level ranch hand with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

Search For Ranch Hand Jobs

Ready To Start Hiring?

Related Hirings

Ranch Hand Related Jobs

What Similar Roles Do

Resume For Related Jobs

Updated March 16, 2023