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The career outlook for people who have a bachelor’s in agriculture is incredible. If you love the outdoors and you want to make big changes, then this is the field for you. You’ll need to be tough and relentless, but that’s what it takes to work in agriculture. Let us help you find the perfect job so that you can use your degree to make a difference in the world.
Agriculture Teachers, Postsecondary
Agriculture teachers teach agriculture and life sciences. They also teach environmental science and related subjects. Agricultural education teachers teach students how to run a farm or ranch or how to grow plants and animals. Still others instruct them in plant breeding and animal production techniques, or they may be general agriculture teachers who instruct students in all areas of agriculture.
A bachelor’s degree is required for an entry-level position as an agricultural teacher, but some states require higher degrees for teaching positions at the postsecondary level. A master’s degree is often necessary for leadership roles within this profession, such as department head or college dean.
Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural Engineers are responsible for maintaining the flow of agricultural products and services throughout the supply chain. They design and build tools, equipment, and systems that improve food production for farmers.
With an Agricultural Engineering degree, you can expect a starting salary of around $71K per year. However, this is just a baseline number; as you gain more experience and increase your skillset, you may be able to earn even more than that!
It’s important to note that there are different types of Agricultural Engineers with varying specialties—some focus on livestock while others specialize in crops or aquaculture (farming fish in ponds). As such, your job duties will vary depending on what type of agricultural engineer you become:
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- The average annual salary for this job is $63680.
- Education requirements: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSAg) or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, or related field.
- Training requirements: Agricultural Sciences Teachers typically grow up around the farming industry and have extensive experience working on a farm. However, training can be obtained through master’s degrees offered at many universities specializing in agriculture-related fields as well as undergraduate programs such as forestry sciences and wildlife management at some institutions. Additionally, there are some online courses available that could provide you with supplemental knowledge if needed prior to attending school full time.* Job duties include teaching both high school classes or college level courses regarding various aspects of Agribusiness including animal science & production; crop science & production; agronomy; agricultural economics & business management; agricultural mechanization/engineering technologies; agricultural law & policy studies; soil science & conservation techniques.* Job growth estimates (2014-2024): 14% (slower than average)* Demand for jobs has increased over time due to population increase but still remains low because many people find other careers more appealing than teaching agriculture classes at colleges/universities due to their demanding schedules whether it be grading papers all night long or taking care of students during class hours when needed so they don’t cause trouble elsewhere around campus.* Opportunities exist everywhere from large state universities like Texas A&M University whose main focus is providing quality education through research projects involving new technologies such as drones used for crop spraying purposes instead of traditional methods which takes longer per acre covered compared
Agricultural Scientists
Agricultural scientists study the production and distribution of food, fiber, and other agricultural products. They may work in research, education, or policy. Agricultural scientists may also work for the government or for private industry. Some agricultural scientists may spend most of their time working in laboratories while others spend a majority of their time outdoors conducting research on farms or ranches.
Agronomists
Agronomists are agricultural scientists who work in the fields of soil, crops and livestock. They study the effects of climate, genetics and management on crop production. Agronomists also work to control pests that damage crops or reduce the profitability of livestock operations.
Agronomists usually have a bachelor’s degree in agronomy or a related field such as biology, plant pathology or entomology. Some employers require candidates for entry-level agronomy jobs to earn certification through the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Certification is also available through other organizations such as the American Society for Range Management (ASRM), National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Soil Science Society America (SSSA).
Salary estimates for agronomists vary depending on experience level and location, but range from $42,000 to $85,000 annually.*
Animal Breeders
Animal breeders are responsible for the selection and propagation of plants, animals or microorganisms. They are involved in the breeding of animals and plants. Animal breeders select genetic material that they believe will produce better offspring, which they then use to create new species or strains.
Animal breeders may work on their own or as part of a team; this is dependent on the type of animal being bred and its purpose.
Food Scientists and Technologists
Food Scientists and Technologists
Food scientists and technologists are responsible for the development, production, and evaluation of foods, food additives, and other food products. They also develop new food products and processes. Food scientists/technologists are involved in the production and processing of foods as well as ensuring their safety and quality. For example:
- They devise methods to detect harmful bacteria in food before it reaches consumers; this helps prevent food poisoning outbreaks from occurring before they start affecting people’s health or wellbeing (or even just make them feel bad after eating it).
- They create methods for testing whether meat has been properly cooked so that you know exactly what kind of meat you’re eating when going out at restaurants with friends… these days everyone wants their steak medium rare but not raw!
Do you have a degree in agriculture? There are many exciting jobs for you.
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is a four-year degree program, which can be pursued at universities and colleges across the United States. The curriculum includes courses in general biology, botany, zoology and animal science. Students will also learn about soil science, plant nutrition and production systems.
With a bachelor’s degree in agriculture you can work as an agricultural consultant or market analyst for farmers who grow crops such as wheat, barley and soybeans. You might also find employment as an educator at a university or college teaching members of the public how to raise livestock or grow vegetables on their own property instead of buying them at the grocery store. A career working for government agencies may be another option: You could work with state officials to create new policies aimed at promoting sustainable food production practices while protecting wildlife habitat areas from development projects like housing subdivisions.”
This list of jobs is only a small sampling of what you can do with your bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. If you love working outdoors, are good at math and science, enjoy working with animals, then this might be the right path for you! We also have some other articles on our blog that may interest you such as “How to grow an indoor herb garden” or “8 jobs you can do without leaving home.”
Here are the top 10 most in-demand and highest-paying agriculture careers.
10. Zoologist / Wildlife biologist
Average annual salary: $63,270 (£46,000)
‘Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!’
While a song from The Wizard of Oz might not be the best job description for zoology, it does capture the excitement of the role.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study all kinds of animal and marine life, and often spend time observing them in their natural habitats. You might also investigate the impact of wildlife on agricultural farms or develop programmes to protect one of the 26% of mammal species on IUCN’s Red List that face extinction.
If you’re fascinated by wildlife and want to use your biology degree for a fulfilling career, this could be the best job for you – but be prepared to pursue an advanced degree for the highest levels of scientific work.
9. Buyer and purchasing agent
Average annual salary: $64,380 (£46,800)
When choosing the perfect career, consider jobs that really capitalise on your skills and interests. If you love working with people, for example, this may be one of the best careers in agriculture for you.
As a buyer for agricultural products, like finding the best cotton for a clothing manufacturer, you’ll get to interview vendors and visit suppliers to learn about their merchandise. You’ll also attend trade shows and meetings and negotiate for the best prices. Evaluating industry trends, financial reports and contracts is also a pivotal part of this high-paying job, so numerical and analytical skills will really come in handy.
8. Food scientist
Average annual salary: $68,970 (£50,130)
If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible for creating the nutritional information printed on the back of your pack of chips, well, you’ve guessed it: it’s food scientists. And they didn’t put it there to make you feel bad about the number of calories you just ate; food scientists gather this information to ensure safety and to determine how long processed items can be preserved.
They normally work with other scientists to make sure that the food produced in the agricultural sector is safe for consumption.
If you’re the type who wants to know what exactly they’re putting in their bodies, then this may sound like a dream job for you.
7. Farm manager
Average annual salary: $71,160 (£51,730)
Farm manager is one of the highest-paying agriculture careers, but it comes with a lot of hard work and responsibility. One day you may be outside in the sunshine, inspecting crops and taking soil samples, and the next you’ll be in an office checking market prices, negotiating sales to a food processing plant and creating financial reports.
Managing a farm requires that rare person who is analytical and extremely organised, who also doesn’t mind volatile unpredictability. Previous experience in agricultural work is essential, and the complexity of large, modern farms may also require a related agriculture or business degree.
6. Agricultural engineer
Average annual salary: $80,720 (£58,700
If you’re fascinated with the film Transformers, and you enjoy the idea of machines helping humans, then you might want to be to be an agricultural engineer.
Apart from designing agricultural equipment and machinery, engineers also test them out to ensure that they work properly and that they were made within government regulations. But it’s not all fun and games: agricultural engineers usually work overtime as most manufacturers require their help even on weekends.
5. Water/Wastewater engineer
Average annual salary: $87,060 (£63,290)
We’re so used to turning on the taps and getting fresh, clean water that we don’t often think about the massive infrastructure that makes that possible.
Water/wastewater engineers are the geniuses that design pipelines, pumping stations, sewers, treatment plants and every connection in between.
As the United Nations reports, the continuing increase in chemical fertiliser and pesticide use on farms contaminates the groundwater and jeopardises the health of agricultural workers. Water/wastewater engineers are needed to figure out ways to process wastewater safely for the environment and as a valuable agricultural resource.
If you want to flex your analytical engineering muscles and help both people and the environment, this is one of the best careers in agriculture you can choose.
4. Environmental engineer
Average annual salary: $88,860 (£64,620)
There would be nothing to harvest if the conditions for planting and growing are poor; that’s why the work of environmental engineers is so important to agriculture. By combining principles from different science fields, environmental engineers create systems that aim to prevent future damages like soil erosion, deforestation and pollution.
If you’d like to help farm owners and the environment at the same time at one of the highest-paying green jobs, this could be the one for you.
1. Water resource specialist (tie)
Average annual salary: $129,100 (£93,900)
While water engineers design the structures that carry clean water to communities, water resource specialists figure out where to get that water from. Whether it’s sourced from wells, lakes, rivers or other bodies of water, these specialists also develop testing and monitoring programmes to assure our drinking water is safe.
If you’re looking for ways to help improve the environment, this is also a top career choice. As a water resource specialist, you’ll monitor the health of bodies of water, develop conservation plans, investigate sources of water pollution and create systems to reduce contaminants in stormwater runoff.
1. Natural sciences manager (tie)
Average annual salary: $129,100 (£93,900)
Whether you’ve decided your career interests lie in biology, chemistry or earth sciences, becoming a natural sciences manager, one the highest-paying jobs in agriculture, is an option for you.
Natural sciences managers coordinate and supervise other scientists and technicians on a variety of research and development projects in every natural science discipline. You might be in charge of developing processes for turning agricultural products into fuel, for example, or investigating the long-term effects of organic versus inorganic farming on soil.
Many career scientists looking for their next challenge move into a management role. While some may work solely on administrative tasks, many natural sciences managers continue their own research alongside their supervisory duties.
1. Clinical research coordinator (tie)
Average annual salary: $129,100 (£93,900)
If you’ve been having trouble finding the right career, try exploring your field for some of these lesser-known but lucrative options.
Would a study on the benefits of an all-organic diet interest you? How about the effects of pesticides on farm families? Clinical research coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of medical studies just like these, and they need an entire buffet of skills to succeed in this role.
Coordinators are in charge of the planning and management of a clinical trial, including legal compliance issues, budgeting and delegating tasks to personnel. In addition, they screen potential participants for the study, develop recruitment strategies for candidates and coordinate activities with medical teams, sponsors and institutions.
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