Agribusiness is one of Ohio’s most important industries, and we’re living in the middle of a busy hub of agricultural activity. With all this productivity, agricultural jobs abound, and Your Community College has partnered up with Local Business X, Y and Z to fill the increasing demand for employment in this field.
What is agribusiness?
Agribusiness extends well beyond the traditional idea of just farming. There’s far more than raising livestock and growing crops involved. Today, agribusiness encompasses a broad variety of career opportunities, including food science, marketing, quality control, and more. These varied jobs support the enormous domestic and international markets and utilize ever-developing logistical, commercial and technological innovations.
Agribusiness is hiring
While 2020 was unstable across all industries due to the pandemic, “the essential nature of the global agriculture industry aids in its stability,” according to the US Agribusiness Job Outlook Report. The world needs to eat! Combine technological changes in mass food production and the retirement of an older generation, and the demand for a skilled new workforce is clear. There were over 43,000 new jobs posted on AgCareers.com alone throughout 2020.
Opportunities in Ohio
Agribusiness is one of the most important industries in Ohio. In the beginning of 2021, Ohio had 77,805 farms with a $124 billion impact on the state economy. One in eight jobs in the state are within the food and agriculture industry. Today’s agricultural leaders and managers require a strong business acumen and an ability to incorporate advanced technologies, all while keeping a focus on an industry that demands sustainability. Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll be prepared for different positions in the agricultural sector, some listed below.
- Agribusiness Service Technician
- Agribusiness Production
- Agribusiness Service and Management
- Agribusiness Office Specialist/Manager
- Agricultural Chemical Applicator Technician
- Agricultural Lending
- Agricultural Sales
- Crop Specialist
- Farm and Ranch Management
- Greenhouse Management
- Nutrient Management Specialist
- Precision Agronomist
- Professional Swine Management
- Soil Fertility Specialist
- Viticulture
*Starting salaries may be lower and more experience can demand higher levels of pay. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Career Outlook
Agribusiness Service Technician: 21.74 hourly, 45,220 annually
Agribusiness Service and Management: 34.48 hourly, 71,710 annually
Agribusiness Office Specialist/Manager: 28.83 hourly, 59,970 annually
Agricultural Pesticide/Fertilizer Applicator: 17.92 hourly, 37,280 annually
Agricultural Lending: 36.20 hourly, 75,300 annually
Agricultural Sales: 35.08 hourly, 72,970 annually
Agronomist: 23.42 hourly, 48,710 annually
Farm Management: 34.48 hourly, 71,710 annually
Nutrient Management Specialist: 27.97 hourly, 58,180 annually
Precision Agricultural Technology Technician: 27.02 hourly, 56,200 annually
All wages are the median for 2020. Starting salaries may be lower. All data from Bureau of Labor Statistics.
