Best degree programs for First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, ranked by enrollment
25 college programs and 473 schools train First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $59,320 median wage, 27,960 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
25 college programs at 473 schools train first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers, graduating 19,924 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Animal Sciences, General. The job pays a median of $59,320 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
25 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 01.0901 | 7,897 | 39.6% | 124 | $33,926 | $21,748 |
| 2 | CIP 01.0101 | 2,251 | 11.3% | 127 | $47,242 | $19,964 |
| 3 | CIP 01.1102 | 1,367 | 6.9% | 65 | $42,861 | $20,500 |
| 4 | CIP 03.0501 | 1,235 | 6.2% | 43 | $42,109 | $21,842 |
| 5 | CIP 01.0301 | 968 | 4.9% | 63 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 6 | CIP 01.0302 | 860 | 4.3% | 55 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 7 | CIP 01.0308 | 767 | 3.8% | 77 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 8 | CIP 01.0104 | 757 | 3.8% | 50 | $47,242 | $19,964 |
| 9 | CIP 01.1101 | 753 | 3.8% | 43 | $42,861 | $20,500 |
| 10 | CIP 01.0304 | 526 | 2.6% | 52 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 11 | CIP 01.0307 | 479 | 2.4% | 43 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 12 | CIP 03.0301 | 423 | 2.1% | 22 | $33,314 | $26,062 |
| 13 | CIP 01.0999 | 274 | 1.4% | 10 | $33,926 | $21,748 |
| 14 | CIP 01.1004 | 239 | 1.2% | 27 | $51,883 | $21,000 |
| 15 | CIP 01.0401 | 187 | 0.9% | 17 | $48,505 | $23,250 |
| 16 | CIP 01.0606 | 156 | 0.8% | 26 | $35,900 | $14,000 |
| 17 | CIP 01.0907 | 134 | 0.7% | 9 | $33,926 | $21,748 |
| 18 | CIP 01.0604 | 133 | 0.7% | 18 | $35,900 | $14,000 |
| 19 | CIP 01.0303 | 131 | 0.7% | 18 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 20 | CIP 01.0905 | 121 | 0.6% | 14 | $33,926 | $21,748 |
| 21 | CIP 01.0199 | 106 | 0.5% | 12 | $47,242 | $19,964 |
| 22 | CIP 01.0306 | 63 | 0.3% | 9 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
| 23 | CIP 03.0510 | 51 | 0.3% | 7 | $42,109 | $21,842 |
| 24 | CIP 01.0906 | 36 | 0.2% | 8 | $33,926 | $21,748 |
| 25 | CIP 01.0399 | 10 | 0.1% | 2 | $36,083 | $17,395 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
What first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $56,280 | 10,450 | 3.19× | 54 | 2,428 |
| Texas | $53,170 | 1,150 | 0.45× | 31 | 2,152 |
| Iowa | $59,150 | 360 | 1.30× | 17 | 796 |
| North Carolina | $58,700 | 560 | 0.64× | 19 | 732 |
| Illinois | $59,030 | 510 | 0.46× | 29 | 713 |
| Minnesota | $81,480 | 230 | 0.43× | 12 | 654 |
| Wisconsin | $62,610 | 330 | 0.62× | 14 | 631 |
| Kansas | $58,670 | 270 | 1.05× | 16 | 625 |
| Indiana | $75,460 | 220 | 0.38× | 5 | 603 |
| Nebraska | $62,620 | 90 | 0.52× | 8 | 558 |
| Oklahoma | $62,040 | 220 | 0.71× | 8 | 491 |
| Michigan | $55,460 | 500 | 0.63× | 13 | 470 |
| Florida | $58,780 | 940 | 0.52× | 9 | 464 |
| New York | $66,460 | 520 | 0.30× | 15 | 461 |
| Missouri | $60,950 | 430 | 0.81× | 12 | 451 |
| Ohio | $54,940 | 380 | 0.38× | 19 | 441 |
| Virginialimited | $56,990 | 670 | 0.91× | 2 | 410 |
| Kentucky | $62,030 | 320 | 0.90× | 12 | 407 |
| Tennessee | $52,960 | 170 | 0.29× | 8 | 344 |
| Washington | $66,200 | 1,220 | 1.92× | 10 | 336 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,570 | 530 | 0.49× | 9 | 334 |
| Alabamamoderate | $60,710 | 590 | 1.55× | 4 | 331 |
| South Dakotamoderate | $57,880 | 110 | 1.28× | 3 | 328 |
| Colorado | $66,030 | 640 | 1.24× | 11 | 316 |
| Arkansas | $62,790 | 240 | 1.02× | 8 | 313 |
| Georgia | $70,560 | 770 | 0.87× | 16 | 284 |
| Idahomoderate | $69,360 | 530 | 3.47× | 4 | 279 |
| Louisianamoderate | $59,020 | 490 | 1.40× | 3 | 277 |
| Maine | $64,290 | 100 | 0.90× | 5 | 276 |
| South Carolinamoderate | $56,730 | 370 | 0.90× | 4 | 263 |
| Mississippi | $60,890 | 440 | 2.13× | 8 | 260 |
| Oregon | $57,940 | 840 | 2.37× | 10 | 254 |
| Arizona | $64,900 | 480 | 0.83× | 9 | 222 |
| Wyoming | $59,640 | 40 | 0.83× | 7 | 203 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $53,190 | 70 | 0.54× | 3 | 197 |
| Vermontlimited | $68,630 | 40 | 0.66× | 2 | 159 |
| Montana | $64,990 | 260 | 2.82× | 6 | 138 |
| New Jersey | $57,240 | 270 | 0.35× | 5 | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $59,640 | 390 | 0.60× | 5 | 128 |
| Connecticutlimited | $59,460 | 60 | 0.20× | 1 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $50,160 | 220 | 1.40× | 5 | 109 |
| Rhode Islandmoderate | $53,770 | 60 | 0.61× | 3 | 97 |
| Marylandmoderate | $62,230 | 200 | 0.39× | 3 | 89 |
| Delawarelimited | $66,550 | 70 | 0.78× | 2 | 74 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $74,420 | 40 | 0.35× | 1 | 69 |
| Hawaiimoderate | $60,050 | 230 | 2.06× | 4 | 52 |
| Utahmoderate | $52,760 | 160 | 0.50× | 3 | 43 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
- Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
- Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
- Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.
- Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.
- Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.
- Treat animal illnesses or injuries, following experience or instructions of veterinarians.
- Train workers in spawning, rearing, cultivating, and harvesting methods, and in the use of equipment.
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Speaking3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Reading Comprehension3.5
- Active Listening3.4
- Learning Strategies3.3
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.0
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management3.9
- Production and Processing3.7
- Customer and Personal Service3.5
- English Language3.4
- Mechanical3.4
- Education and Training3.3
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity3.9
- Oral Comprehension3.9
- Oral Expression3.8
- Speech Clarity3.5
- Near Vision3.5
- Speech Recognition3.5
Core activities
- Getting Information4.0
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.0
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.0
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials3.9
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others3.8
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings3.8
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a First-Line Supervisors of Farming
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience needed
- Less than 5 years
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 01.0101Agricultural Business and Management, General
- 01.0104Farm/Farm and Ranch Management
- 01.0199Agricultural Business and Management, Other
- 01.0301Agricultural Production Operations, General
- 01.0302Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production
- 01.0303Aquaculture
- 01.0304Crop Production
- 01.0306Dairy Husbandry and Production
- 01.0307Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management
- 01.0308Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- 01.0310Apiculture(no graduates reported)
- 01.0399Agricultural Production Operations, Other
- 01.0401Agricultural and Food Products Processing
- 01.0604Greenhouse Operations and Management
- 01.0606Plant Nursery Operations and Management
- 01.0901Animal Sciences, General
- 01.0905Dairy Science
- 01.0906Livestock Management
- 01.0907Poultry Science
- 01.0999Animal Sciences, Other
- 01.1004Viticulture and Enology
- 01.1101Plant Sciences, General
- 01.1102Agronomy and Crop Science
- 03.0301Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management
- 03.0501Forestry, General
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a First-Line Supervisors of Farming?+
High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Animal Sciences, General, which awarded 7,897 degrees in 2024-25, 39.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a First-Line Supervisors of Farming?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 25 programs to this occupation. The largest are Animal Sciences, Agricultural Production Operations, Agricultural Business and Management, Plant Sciences, plus 5 more. Together they graduate about 19,924 people a year.
How much do first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers earn?+
The median is $59,320 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $38,990 at the 10th percentile to $91,770 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers growing?+
BLS projects a +2.5% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 8,500 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
473 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 25 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Farm Supervisor, Hatchery Manager, Logging Supervisor, Harvesting Supervisor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 45-1011.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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