Career Pathways
Scroll below so we can guide you in the right direction for your future in agriculture.
Agriculture Career Path Brochure
Environmental Systems
Fields
- Hydrology
- Soil Science
- Meteorology
- Environmental Science
- Wind Energy Technology
- Aquatic Biology
Jobs
- Meteorologist:
$62,400 - $101,000 - Custom Applicator:
$28,000 - $42,000 - Environmental Compliance Inspector:
$25,000 - $90,000 - Water Treatment Specialist:
$20,800 - $66,000 - Ag Facilities Construction Manager:
$56.000 - $146,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for environmental system occupations is about $54,400.
Pathway Description
Includes recycling, water and air pollution control, and waste disposal and public health issues, develop regulations to prevent environmental mishaps, analyze and research environmental projects.
Biotechnolgy
Fields
- Biofuels
- Genetics
- Physics
- Life Science
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Jobs
- Dairy Commodity Grader:
$31,000 - $70,100 - Fatty Acids Materials Scientist:
$71,000 - $98,000 - Fermentation Microbiologist:
$50,000 - $78,000 - Biological Lab Technician:
$20,800 - $67,300 - Ethanol Biofuel Processing Technician:
$29,000 - $40,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for biofuel system occupations is about $45,000.
Pathway Description
Make use of a range of tools, including breeding techniques, to make or modify products or organisms, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses.
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Fields
- Robotics
- UAS / UAV
- Welding and Fabrication
- Applied Engineering / Drafting
- Precision Agriculture / GIS / GPS
- Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Jobs
- Mechanical Engineer:
$43,000 - $135,200 - TIG Welder:
$27,000 - $42,000 - CAD Mechanical Drafter / Designer:
$38,200 - $57,000 - Industrial / Field Maintenance Tech:
$30,300 - $77,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for power, structural, and technical system occupations is about $54,100.
Pathway Description
Apply engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power structures and controls to farming, design agricultural structures, design machinery and equipment, conserve soil and water for farms, and improve processing of agricultural products.
Natural Resources Systems
Fields
- Forestry
- Wildlife Ecology
- Urban Forestry
- Land Surveying / Geospatial Analysis
- Forestry / Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Law Enforcement
Jobs
- Forest Firefighter:
$25,000 - $40,100 - Park Naturalist:
$20,300 - $56,000 - Soil and Water Conservationist:
$32,240 - $95,700 - Environmental Geologist / Biological Science Technician:
$30,900 - $77,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for natural resource system occupations is about $38,300.
Pathway Description
Protect natural resources, develop, maintain and manage forests and rangelands, catch and trap marine life, work at recreational sites, provide habitats for wildlife.
Agribusiness Systems
Fields
- Agricultural Science
- Agribusiness
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Education
- Sales and Marketing
- Accounting / Finance / Business Management
Jobs
- Grain Sales Agent:
$50,000 - $86,600 - Agricultural Marketing Manager:
$40,000 – $150,000 - Ag / Biological Science Teacher:
$35,000 - $76,000 - Agricultural Loan Officer:
$34,000 - $125,000 - Agricultural Insurance Sales Agent:
$31,200 - $125,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for agribusiness occupations is about $60,600.
Pathway Description
Coordinate activities that contribute to the production, processing and distribution of agricultural commodities and resources, promote agricultural products, and help finance agricultural businesses.
Animal Systems
Fields
- Paralegal
- Equine Science
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Technician
- General Agriculture
- Dairy, Lamb, Wool, Swine Management
Jobs
- Veterinarian:
$31,200 - $120,000 - Animal Scientist:
$69,800 - $87,000 - Animal Care Worker:
$17,160 - $41,000 - Supervisor of Animal Herdspersons:
$29,100 - $60,400 - Animal Breeder:
$38,000 - $42,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for animal system occupations is about $38,900.
Pathway Description
Develop new ways of producing and processing meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products, study genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth and development of domesticated farm animals, inspect and grade livestock food products, purchase livestock, work in technical sales or marketing of livestock.
Plant Systems
Fields
- Agronomy
- Plant Science
- Commodity Marketing
- Golf Course Management
- Horticulture / Green House Management
- Landscape Design / Construction/Technology
Jobs
- Agronomist:
$91,900 - $107.000 - Arborist / Tree Worker:
$35,000 - $75,000 - Grain Marketing Advisor:
$65,100 - $70,000 - Agricultural Technician:
$26,000 - $61,000 - Plant Food Scientist:
$35,400 - $135,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for plant system occupations is about $36,000.
Pathway Description
Study plants and their growth, use genetic engineering to improve crops, develop ways to improve seeds.
Food Products and Processing Systems
Fields
- Culinary Arts
- Food Science
- Accounting / Finance
- Food Processing Safety
- Food Service Management
- Communications and Marketing
Jobs
- Chef / Manager:
$20,000 - $68,000 - Production Supervisor:
$32,200 - $73,100 - Agricultural Inspector:
$31,000 - $70,100 - Food Product Machine Operator:
$25,000 - $51,000 - Agricultural Engineers:
$68,000 - $95,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for food system occupations is about $40,800.
Pathway Description
Discover new food sources,analyze food content, develop ways to process, preserve, package or store food, create new food products, inspect food processing areas.
Salary data from Talent Neuron jobs listed between April 1, 2016 and July 20, 2016
Data collected as of April 1, 2017
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
Contact Us
Tracy Drash
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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