Agriculture Jobs in the United States

Agriculture Jobs Overview

Are you looking for a stable career, in which you’ll make a difference in a societally essential industry? Does the idea of working outdoors in contact with nature attract you? You should consider agriculture jobs for your career.

The sector is going through fast and much-needed technological growth while opening opportunities for a variety of profiles. And if you’re wondering if remote agriculture jobs even exist, the answer is yes! Not all agricultural jobs need you to get your hands dirty.

Here are a few examples of the roles you can find in agriculture:

1. Food scientist: Researches and develops new food products, analyzes their nutritional content, and guarantees quality and safety standards are met during food processing.
2. Agriculture sales and service representative: Promotes and sells agricultural products such as seeds, fertilizers and equipment to farmers and agricultural businesses.
3. Agronomist: Studies and optimizes crop production techniques, soil health and sustainability practices to enhance agricultural efficiency.
4. Grain merchandiser: Buys, sells, and manages grain stock. They often work for grain elevators, agricultural cooperatives, or trading companies to maximize grain marketing and pricing strategies.
5. Agriculture e-commerce specialist: Manages online sales platforms such as websites and marketplaces to facilitate the distribution of agricultural products to customers.
6. Farmer: Cultivates and manages crops. They make decisions about planting, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting for a successful crop yield.
7. Horticulturist: Specializes in the cultivation and care of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and flowers, ensuring optimal growth and appearance.
8. Plant and animal inspector: Agricultural inspectors monitor farms and food processing facilities to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
9. Food and agricultural science editor: These editors review and edit research papers, publications, and reports in the agricultural domain to boost accuracy clarity, and adherence to scientific standards.
10. Agricultural technician: Conducts various tests and experiments to improve agricultural practices and monitor crop health and soil conditions.

Schedules for agriculture jobs vary per role. Some require more than 40 hours per week.

Salaries for Agriculture Jobs

The salary you can earn working in agriculture depends on various factors. The first is your job title. Here are a few examples of the average range of wages for different professions:

• agricultural technician: $14.13 to $24.97 per hour ($29,390 and $51,937 per year)
• food and agricultural scientist: $39,657 to $89,884 per year
• greenhouse manager: $34,903 to $74,102 per year
• soil/plant scientist: $32,548 to $79,761 per year

On top of that, you must consider that your industry, experience level and location also impact how much you can make. For example, agriculture jobs earn on average the most in the following:

• local government, excluding schools and hospitals: $56,730 per year
• machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers: $52,460 per year
• services to buildings and dwellings: $47,060 per year
• federal executive branch: $45,350 per year
• water, sewage, and other systems: $44,960 per year

Similarly, jobs in agriculture bring home on average the most in the states below:

• Oklahoma: $51,580 per year
• North Carolina: $48,970 per year
• Arizona: $47,300 per year
• California: $47,210 per year
• Utah: $47,090 per year

See for yourself what your job pays in your city on Monster’s Salary page. Compare it with salaries for similar roles, as well as find out what new skills are in demand in your field.

How to Find the Best Agriculture Jobs

Pick wisely which job openings to apply for and you’ll save time by avoiding companies that don’t align with your needs and aspirations. Here is what to consider before sending your applications:

1. Your interests and strengths. Identify your areas of expertise and the tasks that you’re the most passionate about.
2. Job description. Look for roles that clearly outline the job responsibilities, qualifications, and skills necessary for the job. Very vague job listing descriptions are red flags.
3. Company’s reputation. Learn as much as possible about prospective employers’ cultures. Research their web pages, social media, and ex-employee reviews.
4. Location and commute. Assess the location of the job and the feasibility of the daily commute - unless you’re only applying to remote agriculture jobs. Your work location can have a great impact on your job satisfaction and personal life.

How to Apply to Agriculture Jobs

Are you stuck trying to write the perfect resume and cover letter for your target agriculture jobs? Check out our steps for a smoother job application process:

1. Know Where to Start

Getting recruiters to call you back, much like reaping the fruits of farming, has a lot to do with how much work you’re willing to put in. A solid resume gives recruiters exactly what they’re looking for and makes it easy for them to read with well-divided and coherent paragraphs covering your:

• contact information
• professional summary
• skills
• work experience
• education

If you’d like to have such a layout ready to fill in with your details, simply download one of our resume templates.

2. Tailor Your Resume for Agricultural Jobs

The next crucial step is tailoring your resume so that it contains the same agricultural industry keywords as the job ad you’re targeting. These vary based on the role, but some common ones are:

• dexterity
• physical stamina
• mechanical machinery knowledge
• active listening
• team oriented
• flexibility
• data-analysis
• critical thinking
• good communication abilities

Need more help? Check out Monster’s Resume Writing Services. We’ll help you showcase your skills and experience and tailor your job application for your target roles.

3. Write Cover Letters for Jobs in Agriculture

You might not need a cover letter to apply to every role in agriculture. However, writing one can never hurt your chances. A cover letter is useful to include all the relevant information you couldn’t add to your resume. It also gives you an opportunity to relate to the employer.

Here is a simple structure to follow to maximize your letter:

• Opening. Greet the hiring manager by name. Clarify which position you’re applying for and express excitement for the opportunity.
• Relevant skills. Highlight your specific expertise in agriculture mentioning how long you’ve been in the industry.
• Experience. Showcase your experience by providing meaningful and quantifiable results from your previous work. Use the agricultural KPIs most relevant for your role.
• Motivations. Explain why you want to work in that specific role for that particular agricultural company. Draw inspiration from the company’s mission statement and values.
• Closing. Thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opening. Then, offer your availability and willingness to provide further details.

Want to be the first to know when new jobs in agriculture hit the job market and be able to apply within seconds? Simply create a free candidate account on Monster and upload your resume and cover letter.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

Show enthusiasm and proactivity by following up with an email after applying for agriculture jobs. Employers will appreciate your eagerness to work for them and you could speed up the response time to your job application. Here are the steps to do it effectively:

• Wait a week. This should give recruiters enough time to review applications before reaching out.
• Address the recruiter by name. Identify the recruiter or hiring manager for the agriculture job you applied for. Scan the job listing, the company website or simply give them a call and ask for the right contact.
• Reference the job title. Mention the specific role you applied for in your email opening. The date of the application is also helpful so the recruiter can find you easily.
• Status of the application. Politely inquire about when you can expect an update.
• Reiterate your interest. Express once again your excitement for the job opportunity in agriculture. Mention your general qualifications to compel recruiters to interview you.

Interview Tips for Agriculture Jobs

Sweeping hiring managers off their feet is the result of good job interview preparation. Here is what we recommend:

1. Research the Company

Start with accurate research on the company you’re interviewing with. Learn as much as possible about their goals, mission, and values. Then, keep these in mind and reference them as you prepare your answers.

2. Foresee the Interview Questions

The first few interview questions are usually icebreakers. Such as “Tell me about yourself” or “Why did you choose this field?”. Make sure to have answers ready. Next, focus on specific questions for your role and your motivations. A few examples include:

• Can you describe your experience managing crop rotation to maintain soil fertility?
• Walk me through how you design and manage a nutritionally balanced feed regimen for various stages of animal growth.
• How do you engage and educate your team about sustainable farming practices to create a culture of environmental responsibility?
• How do you address challenges related to invasive plant species?

Before leaving the meeting, don’t forget to ask your own questions too! The prospective employer will perceive you as more enthusiastic for that role.

3. Follow Up

After your interview, promptly follow up within 24 hours with a thank-you email. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and your enthusiasm to join the company.

Briefly mention a key point from your interview chat. This will help reinforce your suitability for the position and showcase your continued interest.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

You did it, you got the job offer - well done! Now, make sure to thank the employer and politely ask for some time to evaluate all the details thoroughly. Most employers understand you need time for consideration so don’t feel pressured to decide right away.

If you’re unsure how to approach this conversation use our example:

“Dear XY,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to say a big thank you for offering me the ABC position at Company XYZ. I’m truly thrilled and honored to have received this opportunity. Before I jump in, I’d like to ask for some time to carefully review the details of the offer.Would it be alright if I get back to you with my decision by X date?

Thank you again for considering me, I really appreciate your time and effort during this recruitment process.”

Then, take the time to carefully go through the offer and review job title, responsibilities, pay and benefits. Compare them to the agriculture industry standards and to your experience level.

If you think you deserve more, don’t hesitate to negotiate the offer. As long as you’re polite and professional, there’s no harm in asking.

Agriculture Job Career Paths

Wondering what kind of career paths you can aspire to with experience in agriculture jobs? There are several senior and managerial roles you could secure:

• Farm manager: In this role, you’d oversee all aspects of farm operations. These include crop cultivation, livestock care, budget planning, and staff supervision.
• Agricultural operation manager: You’d coordinate various agricultural processes to guarantee efficiency and productivity in day-to-day operations.
• Agricultural supply chain manager: With the right experience you could move into a lead role in logistics. You'd ensure timely deliveries of agricultural products from farms to process facilities and distribution centers.
• Agricultural consultant: Have you accumulated plenty of experience in your field? Could you offer consultation services? You could provide expert advice and recommendations to farmers, agricultural businesses, and government agencies. You'd help improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability in agriculture.
• Agricultural educator: Wish to pass down your knowledge to the next generations? Agricultural educators manage education programs in agriculture in universities, colleges, and vocational institutions. They shape education curricula and foster student development in the field.

Similar Occupations to Agricultural Jobs

Discover the above and more farming jobs. Here are some popular choices among candidates:

• nature jobs
• forestry jobs
• harvester jobs