Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals Salary
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals earn a median $36,670 a year nationally. Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
What farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals do
Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.2% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 26,600
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is projected to shrink 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 26,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,220
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,274
- Medicare (1.45%)$532
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,644
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,360 | $13.15 | $24,141 |
| 25th percentile | $31,020 | $14.91 | $27,105 |
| Median (50th) | $36,670 | $17.63 | $31,644 |
| 75th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 | $38,900 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,080 | $26.00 | $45,633 |
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $50,450 | +4.1% | $42,717 | $35,560 – $80,260 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | +51.5% | $39,665 | $32,700 – $67,840 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $47,050 | −4.0% | $37,913 | $39,160 – $57,100 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | +7.9% | $37,514 | $23,150 – $79,990 | 580 |
| Washington | $45,370 | +4.2% | $38,635 | $35,590 – $64,430 | 1,100 |
| Maine | $42,170 | +2.1% | $34,399 | $31,850 – $57,180 | 140 |
| Maryland | $41,760 | +18.0% | $34,114 | $31,200 – $64,340 | 310 |
| Vermont | $40,730 | −13.8% | $33,976 | $31,490 – $74,860 | 80 |
| Idaho | $40,580 | −1.9% | $33,744 | $24,670 – $52,960 | 480 |
| North Dakota | $40,320 | −0.6% | $34,577 | $32,950 – $46,550 | 130 |
| Colorado | $39,740 | −3.6% | $33,071 | $32,120 – $57,160 | 1,270 |
| New Hampshire | $39,520 | +9.7% | $33,934 | $24,230 – $60,650 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $38,960 | −0.5% | $32,838 | $34,320 – $54,810 | 250 |
| Wyoming | $38,920 | +0.0% | $33,452 | $22,560 – $47,760 | 470 |
| North Carolina | $38,750 | +10.0% | $32,278 | $29,050 – $54,960 | 910 |
| Virginia | $38,670 | +3.6% | $31,842 | $29,530 – $62,010 | 630 |
| California | $38,640 | +9.4% | $32,190 | $34,780 – $55,310 | 3,600 |
| Massachusetts | $38,280 | +0.8% | $31,244 | $35,000 – $56,260 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $38,030 | +12.3% | $31,524 | $24,820 – $54,760 | 700 |
| South Dakota | $38,000 | −1.5% | $32,713 | $32,260 – $51,260 | 100 |
| Indiana | $37,530 | −1.5% | $31,258 | $27,520 – $45,380 | 420 |
| Mississippi | $37,430 | −0.0% | $31,490 | $20,800 – $84,390 | 290 |
| Nebraska | $37,220 | −0.6% | $31,272 | $37,210 – $48,040 | 570 |
| Kansas | $37,060 | +0.3% | $30,689 | $29,130 – $47,590 | 1,340 |
| Montana | $37,010 | −0.3% | $30,935 | $30,620 – $55,930 | 660 |
| Delaware | $36,940 | +0.4% | $30,488 | $31,200 – $46,240 | 90 |
| Florida | $36,790 | +5.2% | $31,741 | $29,730 – $52,540 | 820 |
| Alabama | $36,620 | +4.2% | $30,038 | $22,190 – $53,040 | 1,300 |
| Iowa | $36,480 | +5.0% | $30,757 | $28,950 – $50,540 | 1,240 |
| New Mexico | $36,400 | +12.6% | $30,830 | $24,960 – $49,990 | 330 |
| Oregon | $35,480 | +0.3% | $28,413 | $32,410 – $45,060 | 700 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,360 | +0.9% | $29,506 | $21,700 – $47,900 | 1,330 |
| Arizona | $35,160 | −6.2% | $29,761 | $31,210 – $48,100 | 650 |
| Connecticut | $35,140 | −1.4% | $29,759 | $34,010 – $49,390 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $35,090 | +6.9% | $29,427 | $16,310 – $78,560 | 190 |
| New York | $34,860 | −14.5% | $28,905 | $32,240 – $50,770 | 530 |
| Texas | $33,920 | +2.6% | $29,435 | $24,110 – $50,480 | 3,750 |
| Illinois | $33,840 | −2.4% | $27,840 | $31,200 – $49,240 | 450 |
| Tennessee | $33,720 | −1.8% | $29,274 | $26,550 – $47,560 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $33,670 | +3.1% | $28,264 | $20,560 – $57,980 | 420 |
| Utah | $32,970 | −21.7% | $28,154 | $24,060 – $48,520 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $32,970 | −8.7% | $28,002 | $23,320 – $50,550 | 930 |
| Missouri | $32,950 | −4.2% | $28,044 | $28,600 – $57,410 | 1,310 |
| Michigan | $32,660 | −1.1% | $27,285 | $27,440 – $50,470 | 750 |
| Louisiana | $31,940 | −23.4% | $27,272 | $20,800 – $61,500 | 80 |
| Nevada | $31,700 | −10.7% | $27,651 | $28,530 – $47,040 | 210 |
| Ohio | $31,200 | +1.0% | $27,174 | $24,410 – $51,270 | 1,160 |
| Arkansas | $29,340 | +3.3% | $24,823 | $23,700 – $50,640 | 460 |
| Georgia | $28,410 | −13.4% | $24,154 | $21,880 – $59,890 | 690 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 | No formal educational credential | -2.4% |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 | No formal educational credential | +8.6% |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $35,730 | No formal educational credential | -3.4% |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Forest and Conservation Worker | $43,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.5% |
| Log Grader and Scaler | $46,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.2% |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.8% |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals make?
The national median salary for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is $36,670 a year ($17.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,360 and the top 10% earn over $54,080. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $50,450.
How many farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals are there in the U.S.?
About 32,810 people work as farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals nationwide.