Occupation · SOC 45-2099
Agricultural Workers, All Other
All agricultural workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$40,390
$27,860–$76,730
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
4,980
Job Zone —
Core skills
Critical ThinkingMonitoringActive ListeningOperations MonitoringSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingOperation and ControlCoordination
Knowledge areas
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Project management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Representative tasks
Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarteRecord 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 vi
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Animal feeding schedules — follow and execute under direct supervisor guidance on a commercial farm or aquaculture facility.Animal quarters and enclosures — clean and maintain according to established protocols on assigned shift.Signs of illness or injury in livestock or aquatic animals — recognize and report to a veterinarian or manager when observed during daily rounds.Safety regulations and posted procedures — read and apply while performing routine animal care tasks on a supervised work site.Basic animal behavior patterns — identify normal versus abnormal indicators under the guidance of an experienced worker in a farm setting.Spreadsheet software and record-keeping templates — enter daily counts of fish, shellfish, or livestock under supervisor direction in an office or barn environment.Hand tools and cleaning equipment — select and use appropriately for animal quarter maintenance under direct oversight on a production farm.Assigned task checklists — complete accurately and on schedule while performing routine feeding and care duties in a livestock or aquaculture operation.Oral instructions from supervisors or managers — receive, comprehend, and act upon correctly during fast-paced farm shift operations.Basic arithmetic for feed ratios and inventory counts — apply under supervision to support daily production and processing activities on a working farm.
developing
Animal feeding and treatment assignments — coordinate and distribute among a small crew with minimal oversight on a mid-sized livestock or fish farm.Harvest, release, and sale records for fish or shellfish — maintain accurately using spreadsheet software in a routine aquaculture production environment.Workplace safety rules and regulations — monitor crew compliance and issue verbal warnings to workers who deviate from safe practices on an active farm site.Animal health observations — conduct systematically and document findings, escalating veterinary concerns in a timely manner on a commercial farm.Operational equipment such as feeders, pumps, and sorting machinery — adjust and control to meet daily production targets in a processing or rearing facility.Worker performance and task progress — track and provide corrective feedback to ensure smooth operations across a typical farm workday.Electronic mail and office suite software — use to communicate task updates, scheduling changes, and compliance notes with managers and vendors.Environmental and water quality indicators in aquaculture tanks or ponds — monitor routinely and respond to out-of-range readings in a production setting.Multiple crew member schedules and task priorities — coordinate effectively to maintain animal welfare and farm productivity during normal operational periods.Customer and vendor inquiries about animal products or availability — respond clearly and professionally using established service protocols in a farm business context.
proficient
Complex animal health situations involving multiple species or environmental stressors — assess independently and determine appropriate interventions on a diversified agricultural operation.Full production records including numbers of animals reared, harvested, sold, and shipped — manage and audit for accuracy using project management and spreadsheet software in a commercial facility.Non-routine safety incidents and near-miss events — investigate, document, and implement corrective actions autonomously to maintain regulatory compliance on a working farm.Daily and seasonal feeding, treatment, and husbandry plans — develop and adjust based on observed animal condition and production goals across the full scope of a farm operation.Mechanical systems including irrigation, ventilation, and feeding equipment — troubleshoot and oversee repairs with minimal external support to minimize production downtime.Worker training on animal care standards and safety procedures — design and deliver on-site to build crew competency in a vocational or on-the-job training context.Critical production decisions such as harvest timing and stocking density — make autonomously by integrating operational data and professional judgment in a high-stakes farm environment.Interagency or veterinary communications regarding disease outbreaks or regulatory requirements — manage clearly and promptly on behalf of a farm operation.Presentation and word processing software — use to prepare operational reports, training materials, and compliance documentation for internal and external audiences.Risk factors affecting animal welfare, worker safety, and product quality — evaluate simultaneously and prioritize response actions across a full agricultural production cycle.
advanced
Organizational production strategy and animal management philosophy — set and communicate across all farm departments and leadership levels to align teams with enterprise goals.Farm-wide safety culture and regulatory compliance programs — lead development and continuous improvement of, instituting accountability structures across all operational units.Workforce capability in animal husbandry, record-keeping, and equipment operation — build systematically through mentorship, structured training programs, and performance review at an organizational scale.Enterprise-level production and harvest data systems — design and oversee to ensure accurate records support business decisions, audits, and regulatory reporting across multiple facilities.Cross-functional relationships with veterinarians, regulators, buyers, and community stakeholders — cultivate and manage to advance the long-term interests of the agricultural operation.Emerging threats to animal health, environmental sustainability, and food safety — identify proactively and translate into updated organizational policies, practices, and contingency plans.Operational budgets and resource allocation for labor, feed, equipment, and technology — direct at an executive level to maximize productivity and profitability across the farm enterprise.Industry standards and best practices for aquaculture or livestock production — influence by contributing expertise to professional associations, regulatory consultations, or training institutions.Succession planning and career development pathways for agricultural workers — establish and champion within the organization to ensure long-term operational continuity.Organizational response to large-scale crises such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or market disruptions — lead with decisiveness and clear communication to protect animal welfare and business viability.
Also known as
110 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agriculture WorkerBark SpudderBillet CutterBrush Clearing LaborerBrush CutterBrusherCant HookerCanterCarbiderCat SwamperCatcherChainerChoke SetterChokerChoker HookerChopperChore WorkerChute FeederChute GreaserClimberCrane ChaserCrane FollowerCrane HookerCream DumperCrop ScoutCross Tie CutterCrosscutterCut Off WorkerCutterDam OperatorDam TenderDelivery DriverDerrick FollowerDisease and Insect Control Field InspectorDoggerDriverDrum PullerExpedition SupervisorFeed MixerFeeder