Agriculture
Career Ladder
Learn About The Agriculture Career Path
Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Agriculture Career Ladder!
Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.
To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.
* Many other career paths branch out from apprenticeship within the agriculture industry.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Varies
Agricultural Representatives, Consultants & Specialists
$33.04
Agricultural & Fish Product Inspectors
$29.13
Farm Supervisors & Service Contractors
$20.17
Livestock & Harvesting Labourers
$17.56
Apprenticeships can lead to careers in agriculture. It is also possible to enter this career path directly.
Apprenticeship*
$21.00
Apprenticeship
Wages
Low
$16.55
Median
$21.00
High
$24.00
What is Apprenticeship?
- A pathway to a rewarding career in the trades that require a high level of skill, judgement and creativity
- A combination of on-the-job training & in-school learning
- An opportunity to earn an hourly wage while learning from experienced workers
- A 2-5 year process wherein apprentices work for a year, then switch to studying in class for 8-12 weeks
- 144 trades in Ontario that support mechanical, electrical, automotive, manufacturing, building and service industries
Skills
Judgement
Creativity
Examples of Trades with Apprenticeships
Agricultural Equipment Technician
Dairy Herdsperson
Swine Herdsperson
Fruit Grower
Education & Training Resources
MINISTRY OF LABOUR, TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO
FLEMING COLLEGE
ONTARIO YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
SUPPORT ONTARIO YOUTH
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Livestock and Harvesting Labourers
Wages
Low
$16.55
Median
$17.56
High
$20.82
Main Job Duties
- Plant, fertilize, cultivate, spray, irrigate and harvest crops
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
- Assist in the maintenance of facilities including cleaning stables, barns, barnyards and pens
- May feed and care for livestock, determine feed portions, estimate feed requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies
Skills
Problem Solving Flexibility
Attention To Detail
Job Title Examples
Orchard Worker
Dairy Farm Labourer
Hatchery Worker
Education & Training Resources
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)* – Agriculture, Environment
* Subject to availability
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Agricultural Representatives, Consultants & Specialists
Wages
Low
$28.26
Median
$33.04
High
$44.62
Main Job Duties
- Provide counselling and advisory services to farmers
- Prepare and conduct advisory information sessions and lectures for farmers and other groups
- Conduct research, analyze agricultural data and prepare research reports
- Liase with researchers, educators and government or business managers on matters pertaining to farming and agriculture
- Maintain records of services provided and the effects of advice given
Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Time Management
Organization
Work Independently
Job Title Examples
Agricultural Consultant
Agrologist
Crop Specialist
Education & Training Resources
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in agriculture or related science is required. Membership in the provincial institute of agrology may be required.
ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BSc)
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BA)
- * Specialization in Applied Agriculture available for both programs
- Biology (BSc)
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Farm Supervisors & Service Contractors
Wages
Low
$16.55
Median
$20.17
High
$27.61
Main Job Duties
- Coordinate, assign and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers
- Supervise, monitor and enforce procedures to maintain animal and crop health and welfare
- Hire and train workers, maintain financial and operational records, and maintain quality control
- Supervise maintenance of infrastructure, equipment and supplies
Skills
Attention To Detail
Mechanical Aptitude
Quality Control
Customer Service
Job Title Examples
Farm Lead Hand
Herdsperson
Livestock Breeding Service Contractor
Education & Training Resources
Workers in these occupations usually require a college diploma or a university degree and several years experience related to the field. Contractors providing certain services may require specific training certificates and provincial licensing.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BSc)
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BA)
* Specialization in Applied Agriculture available for both programs
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
CONTINUING EDUCATION
RED SEAL PROGRAM
ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
Agricultural & Fish Product Inspectors
Wages
Low
$22.07
Median
$29.13
High
$35.09
Main Job Duties
- Inspect fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables at inspection centres and prepare reports on crop production and market conditions
- Inspect and grade all classes of grain at terminal elevators and monitor the fumigation of infested grain
- Examine storage, handling and transportation equipment to ensure that sanitary procedures are followed
- Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering and meat processing plants and inspect carcasses to ensure they are fit for human consumption
Skills
Food Safety Reliability
Flexibility
Oral Communication
Job Title Examples
Grain Inspector
Dairy Products Inspector
Crop Certification Inspector
Education & Training Resources
Completion of a college program in a related discipline or several years of experience in food preparation or service are required.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BSc)
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Honours BA)
- * Specialization in Applied Agriculture available for both programs
- Biology (BSc)
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Approximately 50 new agriculture businesses are launched annually in the WDB Region.
Main Job Duties
- Creating and managing a business plan, ongoing research and planning, hiring staff, creating policies, and forecasting
- Maintaining business accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
- Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
- Respond to customer service inquiries, including answering phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business
Skills
Customer Service
Organization Accounting
Time Management
Job Title Examples
Small Business Owner
Franchisee
Education & Training Resources
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary
Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)
These Career Ladders were developed as part of the Pathways to Prosperity Program
and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.