Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
May 2024 national BLS data. Figures are national medians and percentiles from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024); your local market, employer and experience will differ. Wage data ages — this reflects the May 2024 release, verified June 2026. Informational only, not career, salary-negotiation or financial advice.
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations (SOC 45-0000) encompass workers engaged in crop production, livestock raising, aquaculture, fishing, and timber harvesting. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for May 2024, this occupational group employed 442,050 workers nationally with a median annual wage of $36,750 and a mean annual wage of $41,730.
The group contains 13 detailed occupations whose earnings and employment levels vary considerably around these national figures. Some specialized roles command substantially higher wages while others earn considerably less, reflecting differences in skill requirements, working conditions, geographic demand, and market factors. Workers considering entry into this field should research specific occupations of interest, as pay ranges widely across the detailed jobs that comprise this major group.
Look up a salary →Occupations in Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
| Occupation | Median pay | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,330 | 29,530 |
| Fallers | $53,900 | 4,110 |
| Animal Breeders | $52,000 | 1,730 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $52,000 | 2,160 |
| Agricultural Inspectors | $50,990 | 12,090 |
| Logging Equipment Operators | $49,210 | 22,520 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $46,710 | 3,310 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $43,680 | 5,630 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | $42,580 | 30,940 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $40,390 | 4,980 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,150 | 35,420 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,690 | 261,690 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $35,430 | 26,870 |
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national (public domain), verified June 2026. How we compile this.