Agricultural Consultants

Employers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently about 1,600 Agricultural Engineers working in the United States. While small in number, professionals in this field are expected to experience employment growth of 6% from 2022 to 2032, resulting in the addition of 100 new jobs.

USDA employs federal agricultural consultants to assist county extension officers and supervisors in planning, developing, and coordinating national, regional, and state extension programs. These consultants are headquartered in Washington, D.C. County agricultural agents may be employed jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the agricultural college in each state.

County agents may also specialize, especially in counties with more than two or three agents. Many counties with diverse agricultural businesses and farms will often have five or more agents. A single county may employ specialists in fruit and grain production, dairy, poultry production, farm machinery, pest control, soils, nursery management, conservation, and livestock.

Starting Out

Professionals working for the United States Department of Agriculture usually begin their career at the GS-5 level, a government pay grade. The agricultural consultants can then progress through the government pay grades as they gain more education and experience, leading to higher earnings. Many professionals in the United States Department of Agriculture begin their career at the GS-5 level, which is a government pay grade. As agricultural consultants gain more experience and education, they advance to higher government pay grades, which results in higher pay.