Agronomist
Agronomists are scientists who help farmers grow crops more productively and sustainably.
What can you do with an agriculture degree?
Also called: Agricultural science · Agronomy · Agribusiness · Crop science · Animal science
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
An agriculture degree teaches the science and business of producing food and other products from crops and animals, from soil and plant science to farm management and sustainability. Graduates work as agronomists, farm managers, food scientists, environmental scientists and advisers, and in companies that supply seed, feed, machinery and technology to farmers.
Careers with an agriculture degree
Graduates work across the whole food system, from farms to laboratories and government offices. Common roles include agronomist, farm manager, crop or livestock adviser and food scientist. Others become environmental scientists working on soil, water and land use, or biologists in plant and animal research. Some go on to study veterinary science to become veterinarians. Less obvious options include agricultural finance and insurance, commodity trading, international development and jobs in companies that build sensors, drones and software for farms.
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Food scientist
Food scientists study the chemistry, biology and physics of food and use that knowledge to develop new products, improve recipes, and keep food safe, nutritious and long-lasting.
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Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists study the natural world and how human activity affects it.
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Veterinarian
Veterinarians diagnose, treat and prevent disease and injury in animals, from pets and farm animals to horses and wildlife, and help protect people from diseases that spread from animals.
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Biologist
Biologists study living things, from molecules and cells to plants, animals and whole ecosystems, and apply what they learn in health, farming, conservation and industry.
Other roles graduates go into: Farm manager · Agricultural consultant · Plant breeder · Animal nutritionist · Soil scientist · Agricultural sales representative
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Soil science and plant nutrition
- Crop production and protection
- Animal science and welfare
- Farm business management and agricultural economics
- Sustainable agriculture and environmental management
- Agricultural technology, including precision farming
- Food supply chains and food security
- Research methods and statistics
Skills you gain
- Understanding how plants, animals and soils interact
- Collecting and analysing field and laboratory data
- Managing budgets, resources and people
- Using farm technology, maps and sensor data
- Advising farmers and other clients clearly
- Solving practical problems in changing conditions
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a bachelor's degree usually takes three years, often with an extra placement year on a farm or in industry. In the United States, India and many other countries it is typically a four-year programme. In Latin America and parts of Europe, agronomy is often a longer professional engineering degree of about five years, or a bachelor's followed by a master's. Entry usually requires biology or chemistry, and practical farm experience can help. In some countries, including Canada and Brazil, agronomists must register with a professional body for certain types of work.
How do agriculture graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 103 (2023) | 88.1% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Norway | 100 (2023) | 85.8% (2024) | 89.3% |
| South Korea | 100 (2023) | — | — |
| Romania | 98 (2023) | 88.7% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Chile | 98 (2023) | 85.5% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Finland | 96 (2022) | 90.9% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Slovenia | 95 (2020) | 92.4% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Luxembourg | 93 (2023) | — | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 92 (2023) | 90.8% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Mexico | 92 (2023) | 83.0% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Portugal | 91 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 91 (2023) | 88.5% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Austria | 90 (2023) | 88.2% (2024) | 86.4% |
| United States | 85 (2023) | 85.6% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Estonia | 83 (2023) | 86.3% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Australia | 82 (2020) | 96.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Germany | 81 (2020) | 89.3% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Costa Rica | 80 (2023) | 79.8% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Canada | 79 (2020) | 83.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| United Kingdom | 74 (2020) | 88.6% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Switzerland | 70 (2023) | 94.6% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Iceland | — | 96.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Ireland | — | 93.8% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Poland | — | 92.9% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Lithuania | — | 91.3% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Belgium | — | 89.4% (2024) | 88.5% |
| France | — | 88.7% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Netherlands | — | 87.9% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Italy | — | 87.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.9% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Czechia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Spain | — | 86.1% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Croatia | — | 85.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Greece | — | 83.6% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Peru | — | 83.6% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 77.4% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Agriculture” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £24,900 | £19,000 | £29,600 | 86.4% |
| After 3 years | £28,900 | £22,700 | £36,600 | 87.6% |
| After 5 years | £29,600 | £22,000 | £38,400 | 86.2% |
| After 10 years | £31,800 | £22,300 | £43,200 | 79.9% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment.
Is an agriculture degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You care about where food comes from and how to produce it sustainably.
- You enjoy science but also want practical work outdoors.
- You are interested in running a business or advising people who do.
Think twice if
- You want to live and work in a big city, as many roles are in rural areas.
- You dislike working outdoors in all weather or with animals.
- You want a very stable income, as farming depends on weather, prices and government policy.
Further study
Many graduates go straight into farming, advisory or industry roles. A master's degree is useful for specialist work in crop science, animal nutrition, soil science, agricultural economics or international development. A PhD leads to research careers in universities, government institutes and companies working on plant breeding or farm technology. Some graduates go on to study veterinary science, which is a separate professional degree. Advisers often add professional certificates, for example in pesticide use or nutrient management.
Questions about studying agriculture
What jobs can you get with an agriculture degree?
Common jobs include agronomist, farm manager, crop or livestock adviser, food scientist and environmental scientist. Graduates also work in plant breeding, animal nutrition, agricultural sales, commodity trading, rural finance, government policy and international development. Some go on to study veterinary science, and others join technology companies that develop sensors, drones and software for farms.
Do you need to come from a farming family to study agriculture?
No. Many agriculture students have no farming background. Some programmes ask for or recommend practical experience, so working on a farm or in a food or environmental job before you apply can help. The degree teaches the science and business from the start, and careers in research, food, policy and technology do not require a family farm.
Is agriculture a good degree for the future?
The world will always need food, and farming faces big challenges from climate change, water shortages, soil damage and new technology. This creates demand for people who understand both science and practical farming. Pay and job security vary widely by country and role, so research local employers and the data for related careers before you decide.
What is the difference between agriculture and agronomy?
Agriculture is the broad field that covers crops, animals, farm business and the food system. Agronomy is one part of it and focuses on soil and crop production. In some countries, especially in Latin America and parts of Europe, agronomy is the usual name for the main professional degree in agriculture.
Related subjects
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Biology
A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.
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Environmental science
An environmental science degree studies how the natural world works and how human activity affects air, water, soil, wildlife and climate.
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Veterinary science
A veterinary science degree trains you to diagnose, treat and prevent disease in animals, from pets and farm animals to horses and wildlife.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH06-01-03 — Agriculture
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0811
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with an agriculture degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/agriculture/ (accessed September 26, 2026)