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Dairy farmer salary
Average dairy farmer salary
$14.4
Understanding Dairy Farmer Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a dairy farmer in the United States is approximately $29,959 per year, translating to around $14 per hour. This figure reflects the compensation for various roles within the dairy farming industry, which can include milking cows, managing farm operations, and ensuring animal welfare.
Salary varies significantly based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the size of the dairy operation. For example, dairy farmers in states like California and Wisconsin often earn higher wages due to the demand for dairy products and the scale of operations in these regions.
Highest Paying States for Dairy Farmers
- California
- Wisconsin
- New York
- Texas
In addition to state variations, farmers with specialized skills or those who take on management roles can command higher salaries. Understanding the dynamics of the dairy farming industry, including market demands and technological advancements, can help aspiring dairy farmers position themselves for better opportunities. This page serves as a resource for current salary estimates, industry trends, and job openings in the dairy sector.
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Where can a Dairy Farmer earn more?
Dairy farmer salary estimates from across the web
Average dairy farmer salary by state
The highest-paying states for dairy farmers are Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. The lowest average dairy farmer salary states are Iowa, Montana, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for dairy farmers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $33,009 | $15.87 |
| 3 | Vermont | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $31,549 | $15.17 |
| 5 | Delaware | $29,961 | $14.40 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $30,687 | $14.75 |
| 7 | Maine | $37,624 | $18.09 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $36,636 | $17.61 |
| 9 | Ohio | $31,528 | $15.16 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $36,012 | $17.31 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $34,137 | $16.41 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $27,511 | $13.23 |
| 13 | New Mexico | $28,087 | $13.50 |
| 14 | Maryland | $28,276 | $13.59 |
| 15 | Kansas | $27,155 | $13.06 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $27,731 | $13.33 |
| 17 | Georgia | $28,321 | $13.62 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $28,000 | $13.46 |
| 19 | Nevada | $26,794 | $12.88 |
| 20 | Arizona | $25,268 | $12.15 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $23,726 | $11.41 |
| 22 | Missouri | $26,788 | $12.88 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $24,761 | $11.90 |
| 24 | Washington | $25,165 | $12.10 |
| 25 | Michigan | $25,070 | $12.05 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $26,509 | $12.74 |
| 27 | Florida | $26,503 | $12.74 |
| 28 | Utah | $23,976 | $11.53 |
| 29 | Texas | $23,933 | $11.51 |
| 30 | Virginia | $23,610 | $11.35 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $27,664 | $13.30 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $21,611 | $10.39 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $23,551 | $11.32 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $24,432 | $11.75 |
| 35 | Montana | $21,582 | $10.38 |
| 36 | Alabama | $22,987 | $11.05 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $23,171 | $11.14 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $24,285 | $11.68 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $29,456 | $14.16 |
| 40 | Iowa | $21,610 | $10.39 |
| 41 | Oregon | $23,659 | $11.37 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $22,731 | $10.93 |
| 43 | Alaska | $20,843 | $10.02 |
| 44 | California | $23,140 | $11.13 |
| 45 | Idaho | $23,307 | $11.21 |
| 46 | Illinois | $24,196 | $11.63 |
| 47 | Colorado | $22,002 | $10.58 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $21,925 | $10.54 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $21,001 | $10.10 |
| 50 | Indiana | $20,713 | $9.96 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $18,236 | $8.77 |
Highest paying cities for dairy farmers
The highest-paying cities for dairy farmers are Westbrook, ME, Locke, NY, and Skaneateles, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westbrook, ME | $38,003 | $18.27 |
| 2 | Locke, NY | $37,002 | $17.79 |
| 3 | Skaneateles, NY | $36,932 | $17.76 |
| 4 | Syracuse, NY | $36,929 | $17.75 |
| 5 | Auburn, NY | $36,898 | $17.74 |
| 6 | Kingsbury, NY | $36,755 | $17.67 |
| 7 | Wolcott, NY | $36,672 | $17.63 |
| 8 | Piffard, NY | $36,349 | $17.48 |
| 9 | Le Roy, NY | $36,345 | $17.47 |
| 10 | Buffalo, NY | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| 11 | Plattsburgh, NY | $34,887 | $16.77 |
| 12 | Wauseon, OH | $31,604 | $15.19 |
| 13 | Bally, PA | $31,519 | $15.15 |
| 14 | Paulding, OH | $30,812 | $14.81 |
| 15 | Newark, OH | $30,775 | $14.80 |
| 16 | Sidney, OH | $30,287 | $14.56 |
| 17 | South Solon, OH | $30,114 | $14.48 |
| 18 | Ellijay, GA | $28,431 | $13.67 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $28,343 | $13.63 |
| 20 | Port Hope, MI | $27,994 | $13.46 |
Dairy farmer salary details
A dairy farmer's salary ranges from $13,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $68,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a dairy farmer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $29,959 | $2,497 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
| 10th Percentile | $13,000 | $1,083 | $6 |
Highest paying dairy farmer jobs
The highest paying types of dairy farmers are rider, wrangler, and livestock yard attendant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groom | $30,872 | $2,573 | $14.84 | 9,302 |
| Ranch Hand | $27,569 | $2,297 | $13.25 | 4,309 |
| Wrangler | $34,274 | $2,856 | $16.48 | 176 |
| Rider | $50,175 | $4,181 | $24.12 | 3,281 |
| Farm Hand | $26,594 | $2,216 | $12.79 | 9,890 |
| Farm Labour | $26,720 | $2,227 | $12.85 | 25,319 |
Top companies hiring dairy farmers now:
Which companies pay dairy farmers the most?
Dairy farmer salaries at Kroger and Meadowbrook Country Club are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average dairy farmer salary at companies like La Salle National Corp and Homan Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kroger | $32,900 | $15.82 |
| 2 | Meadowbrook Country Club | $26,674 | $12.82 |
| 3 | La Salle National Corp | $25,947 | $12.47 |
| 4 | Homan Group | $25,927 | $12.46 |
| 5 | Irish Dairy Board Inc | $25,926 | $12.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Dairy Farmer salary by industry
The average dairy farmer salary varies across industries:
- The average dairy farmer salary in the manufacturing industry is $32,387, the highest of any industry.
- The average dairy farmer salary in the finance industry is $28,018.
- Dairy farmers in the professional industry earn an average salary of $24,502, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for dairy farmers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $32,387 | $15.57 |
| 2 | Technology | $28,018 | $13.47 |
| 3 | Pharmaceutical | $26,574 | $12.78 |
| 4 | Agriculture | $25,592 | $12.30 |
| 5 | Professional | $24,502 | $11.78 |
High paying dairy farmer jobs
Dairy farmer salary trends
The average dairy farmer salary has risen by $7,230 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dairy farmer earned $22,729 annually, but today, they earn $29,959 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for dairy farmers over the last decade.
Compare dairy farmer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average dairy farmer salary over time
Compare dairy farmer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Dairy farmer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,000 | $14.40 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $28,600 | $13.76 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | $27,300 | $13.13 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $26,200 | $12.59 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $25,200 | $12.12 | +3.1% |
Recently added dairy farmer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland Farms | Dairy Farm Pick-Up Driver | Menands, NY | 05/09/2025 | $84,784 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Dairy Barn Attendant-Farm-In-The-Zoo | Chicago, IL | 04/28/2025 | $33,809 |
| Aza | Dairy Barn Attendant-Farm-In-The-Zoo | Chicago, IL | 04/17/2025 | $33,809 |
| WSU | Farmer 2-Knott Dairy | Pullman, WA | 03/22/2025 | $35,532 |
| Savvy, Inc. | Dairy Farm Hand Herd Manager Lenkaitis Holsteins ST Charles, IL Interested NOT Interested | Kane, IL | 02/17/2025 | $35,479 |
| Land O'Lakes, Inc. | Temporary Dairy Farm Technician | Effingham, IL | 02/16/2025 | $37,316 |
| Biodynamics | Threefold Community Farm Dairy Farmer | New York, NY | 02/16/2025 | $50,000 |
| Land O' Lakes, Inc. | Dairy Farm Technician-Temporary-R | Gray Summit, MO | 02/13/2025 | $37,316 |
| Land O Lakes | Temporary Dairy Farm Technician | Gray Summit, MO | 01/26/2025 | $37,316 |
| Land O Lakes | Dairy Farm Research Technician | Gray Summit, MO | 11/25/2024 | $37,316 |
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