Career Pathways
Scroll below so we can guide you in the right direction for your future in agriculture, food and natural resources.
Agriculture Career Path Brochures (available in multiple languages)
Environmental Service Systems
Fields
- Hydrology
- Soil Science
- Meteorology
- Environmental Science
- Wind Energy Technology
- Aquatic Biology
Jobs
- Environmental / Field Technician:
$33,300 - $54,500 - Environmental Engineer:
$73,650 - $148,350 - Environmental Compliance Inspector:
$72,700 - $107,650 - Water Treatment Specialist:
$42,000 - $54,600 - Ag Facilities Construction Manager:
$81,700 - $100,800
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for environmental system occupations is about $84,050.
Pathway Description
Pathway focused on preventing the harmful effects of human activities; knowledge of science and engineering.
Biotechnology Systems
Fields
- Biofuels
- Genetics
- Physics
- Life Science / Evolutionary Biology
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Ecology
Jobs
- Dairy Commodity Grader:
$28,000 - $50,750 - Fatty Acids Materials Scientist:
$53,650 - $118,150 - Fermentation Microbiologist:
$51,450 - $82,150 - Biological Lab Technician:
$32,050 - $53,800 - Chemistry Lab Technician:
$34,950 - $45,050
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for biofuel system occupations is about $59,200.
Pathway Description
Pathway enhances plants, animals and microorganisms; have a strong interest and background in how science can modify an organism’s genetic composition.
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Fields
- Robotics
- UAS / UAV
- Welding and Fabrication
- Applied Engineering / Drafting
- Precision Agriculture / GIS / GPS
- Diesel / Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Jobs
- Industrial / Manufacturing Engineer:
$79,350 - $125,950 - TIG Welder:
$38,650 - $43,450 - Wind Turbine Technician:
$43,700 - $63,150 - GIS Technician:
$41,900 - $48,100
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for power, structural, and technical system occupations is about $67,350.
Pathway Description
Apply knowledge of engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power, structures and controls to agriculture. Innovate, design and build solutions.
Natural Resources Systems
Fields
- Forestry
- Wildlife Ecology
- Urban Forestry
- Land Surveying / Geospatial Analysis
- Forestry / Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Law Enforcement
Jobs
- Parks Workers:
$25,450 - $43,450 - Park Naturalist / Conservation Scientist:
$27,900 - $56,550 - Environmental Scientist:
$63,400 - $109,750 - Foresters:
$71,650 - $84,750 - Land Surveyors:
$43,200 - $84,650
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for natural resource system occupations is about $47,500.
Pathway Description
Maintain and manage natural environment; work in urban and rural settings, in the field and in the lab. Protecting wildlife, maintaining parks.
Agribusiness Systems
Fields
- Agricultural Science
- Law / Regulation
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Education
- Sales / Marketing
- Accounting / Finance / Insurance
Jobs
- Product Demonstrator:
$24,650 - $52,550 - Marketing Manager:
$89,000 - $154,590 - Plant Accountant:
$49,250 - $105,200 - Agriculture Loan Officer:
$63,550 - $130,050 - Supply Chain Analysts:
$60,250 - $107,900
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for agribusiness occupations is about $57,800.
Pathway Description
Careers in this pathway determine effective use of resources for profit, work in teams and using high-tech tools to increase efficiency
Animal Systems
Fields
- Paralegal
- Equine Science
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Technician
- Aquaculture
- Dairy, Lamb, Wool, Swine Management
Jobs
- Veterinarian:
$82,650 - $104,450 - Animal Scientist:
$71,950 - $144,900 - Animal Caretaker:
$23,900 - $36,650 - Biologists:
$38,100 - $94,000 - Veterinary Technician:
$30,000 - $55,300
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for animal system occupations is about $42,150.
Pathway Description
Working with and caring for animals of all sizes; opportunities to work directly with animals or to work with products from animals.
Plant Systems
Fields
- Agronomy
- Plant Science
- Commodity Marketing
- Grounds Management
- Horticulture / Green House Management
- Landscape Design / Construction / Technology
Jobs
- Agronomist / Soil & Plant Scientist:
$73,200 - $94,400 - Arborist / Tree Worker:
$41,300 - $72,800 - Operations Supervisor:
$41,350 - $73,000 - Landscaper:
$27,000 - $45,350 - Landscape Designer:
$63,250 - $72,100
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for plant system occupations is about $44,850.
Pathway Description
Study plants and how they impact our world. Feed our growing population; monitor food quality and safety; develop insect resistant crops; grow more food with less space; conserve natural resources.
Food Products and Processing Systems
Fields
- Culinary Arts
- Food Science
- Accounting / Finance
- Food Processing Safety
- Food Service Management
- Communications and Marketing
Jobs
- Chef / Manager:
$24,350 - $51,700 - Food Scientist / Technologist:
$77,800 - $123,150 - Food / Consumer Safety Inspector:
$49,350 - $69,450 - Food Product Machine Operator:
$23,150 - $28,000 - Food Lab Technician:
$31,800 - $43,450
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for food system occupations is about $49,300.
Pathway Description
Study the physical, biological and chemical makeup of foods to improve food safety, create better processes, and enhance nutritional value and shelf-life: develop new flavors.
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster - May 2020
Growing Opportunities
Are you going in the right direction?
Explore a future career in Agriculture!
- According to USDA/Purdue University Study Agricultural students make up about 1% of the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary education.
- But there are 2x as many diverse job opportunities as there are qualified graduates to fill them!
- According to AgCareers.com 59% of agricultural companies expect their workforce to increase in size in the next 2 years.
Agricultural Education
Top 3 Majors for two year programs
- Horticulture
- Ag Business
- Ag Production/Operations
Top 3 Majors for four year programs
- Animal Science
- Ag Business
- Food Science
Agriculture Is The Nation’s Largest Employer
with more than 23 Million Jobs [that’s 17% of the civilian workforce] involved in some facet of American agriculture.
(Data by National FFA Organization)
Agricultural Career Pathways
Critical Foundation Knowledge and Skills Identified by Employers:
Problem Solving - Ethics - Critical Thinking - Integrity - Teamwork - Technology Application - Safety, Health, & Environment - Organizational & Global Systems - Leadership - Cultural Competence - Lifelong Learning - Creativity - Communications - Innovation
Campus Locations
Thanks to our partner, AgCentric, here is a listing of Minnesota State College Post Secondary Ag, Food and Natural Resources instructors along with their contact information.
Contact Us
Nathan Hanel
Call: 507-389-7435
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Natalie Compart
Call: 507-389-7301
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Brad Schloesser
Call: 507-389-7263
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