Farmers produce crops, livestock and dairy products. They can also be called ranchers or agricultural managers, depending on what they produce and whether they operate family or corporate establishments. Though they may have offices in which to manage paperwork, they typically work outdoors.
Average farm income per acre grossed $790, according to Lisbdnet.com in 2021. Net income varies widely depending on the size of the farm, loan payments, taxes and operational costs. Many farmers work non-farming jobs to defray personal household expenses.
Average Farmer Pay
Farmers earned an average $37.71 per hour or $78,440 per year as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compensation could sink below $18.37 per hour or $38,200 per year, or rise above $60.74 per hour or $126,330 per year. Farmers oversee the growth of crops, including planting, fertilizing and harvesting.
They also manage the herding and growth of domestic animals such as cows, chickens and sheep. They buy and operate farm machinery such as tractors; maintain farm facilities such as barns and fences; and buy supplies such as seed and fertilizer.
Employment by Sector
In 2021, the biggest employers of farmers were support activities for crop production, which included family farms. Farmer pay here ran an average $38.00 per hour or $79,030 per year. The highest salaries were in wholesalers of non-durable goods, such as farm supplies. Average wages were $51.96 per hour or $108,070 per year.
Most farmers have a high school diploma though they learn most of their skills through work experiences. Many farmers grew up or worked on a family establishment. Many also obtain a bachelor’s degree in agriculture if they want to make a living with farming, or manage crop production in agricultural corporations.
Average Farm Income by State
The states with the best opportunities for farmers had the highest populations in 2021. California tops the list with average salaries at $44.03 per hour, or $91,590 per year. Texas was next, with average wages of $31.15 per hour, or $64,780 per year.
The highest pay was in New Jersey, at an average $55.82 per hour, or $116,110 per year, and North Dakota, at an average $51.59 per hour, or $107,300 per year. In rural areas, the highest wages were in southern Nebraska, at an average $32.13 per hour, or $66,830 per year, and west Texas at an average $32.00 per hour, or $66,560 per year.
Farmer Growth Trend
The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees jobs for farmers declining by 1 percent from 2020 to 2030, compared to a predicted increase of 8 percent for all occupations in all industries. Modern technology, which allows fewer workers to produce more crops, is closing many farms. In addition, only larger, corporate farms are able to withstand the price fluctuations and climate variations of modern agriculture. Most of the opportunities will go to agricultural managers, who manage crop production on facilities that they do not own.
FAQs
The average salary for a farmer is $30,845 in the US. The average farmer salary ranges between $13,000 and $71,000 in the US. Farmers' hourly rates in the US typically range between $6 and $34 an hour. Farmers earn the highest salaries in New Jersey (42,771), New York (42,203), and Maine (39,209).
How much money do farmers spend a year? ›
In 2020, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $182,130, up 2.6 percent from $177,564 in 2019. On average, United States farm operations spent $28,250 on feed, $19,695 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, $22,232 on farm services, and $18,253 on labor.
Do farmers make good money in us? ›
Median total household income among all farm households ($92,239) exceeded the median total household income for all U.S. households ($70,784) in 2021.
Are farmers paid a lot? ›
Pay About this section
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. The median annual wage for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers was $73,060 in May 2021.
What farmers make the most money? ›
Dairy Farming: Dairy farming is one of the most profitable agricultural business ideas. Aside from milk, it also produces manure. There is a high demand for organic dairy products all year round such as milk, cheese, curd, cream and so much more.
Can you make money as a farmer? ›
An experienced farmer can earn a full-time income on a large farm. Most harvest the most profitable crops, such as corn and soybeans.
How do farmers earn a living? ›
On average, farmers and ranchers receive 15 cents of every dollar spent on food. The rest of that money (85 cents if you're doing the math) goes to other areas of food retail like production and processing, marketing, and transportation and distribution. That amount varies greatly depending on the type of food.
How do farmers pay themselves? ›
Ag producers can pay themselves using commodity wages or gifts of commodities. This saves the family income or self-employment tax liabilities. In both instances the commodity must be formally retitled and sold separately from the farm's commodities.
Why is farming so expensive? ›
PEIKES: So why is farmland costing so much now? Economists say things like good crop prices, a global food shortage, inflation and record-high government payments, largely from the pandemic. Randy Dickhut is the vice president of real estate operations with Farmers National Company.
Is being a farmer a good job? ›
It is a rewarding career that offers a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. With the world's population growing, the demand for food is increasing, making farming a stable and secure career choice. Additionally, farming offers a unique opportunity to work for oneself and be one's boss.
Farmers, too. Agriculture, logging and forestry have the highest levels of self-reported happiness — and lowest levels of self-reported stress — of any major industry category, according to our analysis of thousands of time journals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey.
How much money is there in farming? ›
In 2021 California's farms and ranches received $51.1 billion in cash receipts for their output.
Is the average farmer a millionaire? ›
Farm Household Wealth and Income
Farm operator households have more wealth than the average U.S. household because significant capital assets, like farmland and equipment, are generally necessary to operate a successful farm business. In 2021, the average U.S. farm household had $2,100,879 in wealth.
How much do farmers make per acre in USA? ›
Average farm income per acre grossed $790, according to Lisbdnet.com in 2021. Net income varies widely depending on the size of the farm, loan payments, taxes and operational costs.
How much does a farmer profit per acre? ›
Average four-crop gross income per acre = approximately $790 per acre.
How many acres can 1 person farm? ›
For someone who isn't farming as their full-time source of income, even one to three acres may be plenty of growing space for one person to maintain. This is particularly true if they do most of the work by hand and aren't using large mechanized equipment like tractors and combine harvesters.
