5 Top Paying Careers in Agriculture

5 Lucrative Careers in Agriculture

Food Scientists
Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural Operations Managers
Environmental Engineers
Agricultural Economists

Careers in agriculture offer many exciting opportunities for students majoring in agriculture. This is a highly flexible field that provides positions in a broad range of work environments. For agricultural graduates who are looking for the best-paying careers in this field, the following careers may be of interest. Not only do these jobs pay quite well, but in most cases, applicants need only a bachelor’s degree in agriculture to obtain an entry-level position.

1. Food Scientists

One top paying career in agriculture today is that of a food scientist. The main objective of a food scientist is to ensure that food and food production processes are safe for consumers. Food scientists often choose to specialize in such areas as regulation, processing, quality control, or research and development. Depending on their area of specialization, these professionals may be responsible for tasks including monitoring production, analyzing the nutrients, improving food products, and making sure that businesses adhere to food regulations.

2. Agricultural Engineers

Another great career choice for agriculture majors is to obtain a position as an agricultural engineer. Agricultural engineers are responsible for a wide range of activities that may include aquaculture, forestry, land farming, conservation improvement, environmental planning, and biofuel development. Persons who choose this career must have at least a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. These positions are currently in moderate demand, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the average salary for agricultural engineers in 2018 was just over $77,000 per year.

3. Agricultural Operations Managers

Agricultural operations managers are also among the top-paying careers in agriculture. These professionals are in charge of supervising the various activities conducted in such places as industrial farms, greenhouses, agricultural production facilities, and nurseries. Typical responsibilities of agricultural operations managers may include supervising lower-level employees, planning and coordinating business activities, hiring and training staff, selecting and purchasing equipment, and maintaining their employers’ accounting books. A bachelor’s degree in agriculture is the minimum requirement for these positions.

4. Environmental Engineers

Choosing to become an environmental engineer is another terrific career choice for agriculture majors. Environmental engineers possess many important responsibilities including working to improve such things as air and water quality, public health, and waste disposal. Depending on where environmental engineers choose to work, one may also be responsible for performing quality control and inspecting industrial facilities.While a bachelor’s degree is usually required for entry-level positions in this field, a master’s degree can broaden one’s employment opportunities.

5. Agricultural Economists

Yet another top paying agriculture career is known as an agricultural economist. Agricultural economists examine the supply and demand of agricultural products by researching data and statistics related to the agricultural industry. They are also responsible for identifying trends in the agricultural market and creating predictions for the future. Many of these professionals choose to specialize in such areas as crop or livestock science, food safety, rural development, policy analysis, or international trade. A graduate degree in agriculture or economics is typically required for this career choice.

Agriculture is a highly flexible field that not only offers positions in a broad range of work environments, but it also offers many different areas of specialization. This leaves agricultural graduates with a large number of fantastic career choices, and five of the best-paying careers in agriculture are described briefly in the sections above.