The median annual wage for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers was $64,170 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,140.

Incomes of farmers and ranchers vary from year to year because prices of farm products fluctuate with weather conditions and other factors. In addition to earning income from their farm business, farmers can receive government subsidies or other payments that add to their income and reduce some of the risk of farming.

Also, more farmers, especially operators of small farms, are relying more on off-farm sources of income, such as community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

Most farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers work full time. Farm work can be seasonal and the number of hours worked may change according to the season. Farmers and farm managers on crop farms usually work from sunrise to sunset during the planting and harvesting seasons. During the rest of the year, they plan the next season's crops, market their output, and repair and maintain machinery. About one-third worked more than 40 hours per week in 2014.

On livestock-producing farms and ranches, work goes on throughout the year. Animals must be fed and cared for every day.