jobfacts

Farmer

Farmers — SOC 2020 5111

Farmers and related occupations cultivate arable crops, fruits and trees, and raise cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and other livestock for consumption.

Also calledFarm managerFish farmerAquaculturistHatchery technicianAgricultural contractorHerd managerand 48 more titles
Typical full-time pay£35,3002025 Provisional
People in the job100,000across the UK
Demand for workersNot high
New adverts a month113↑ 0.2%on last year · 386th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time farmers earn, 2025
£35,300 typicaln/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less thanNot published
25%Not published
Median£35,300
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
More than half (80%) of farmers work for themselves. These pay figures only cover employees, so they may not reflect what self-employed farmers earn.
Typical pay by regionUK median £35,300
South West!£37,200
West Midlands!£33,600
Yorkshire and The Humber!£31,100
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £35,300
South West£37,200 (small sample)
West Midlands£33,600 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£31,100 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
LondonNot published by ONS
South EastNot published by ONS
ScotlandNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £29,800
  • 2024 £34,100
  • 2025 Provisional£35,300
↑ 19% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 113 jobs for farmers are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as not high.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026Not published
Jul 2026179
Jun 2026Not published
May 2026110
Apr 202695
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 202695
Jan 2026118
Dec 202550
Nov 2025104
Oct 2025151
Sept 2025113
Aug 2025103
Jul 2025116
Jun 2025151
May 2025163
Apr 202594
Mar 2025114
Feb 2025129
Jan 2025121
Dec 202468
Nov 202479
Oct 2024111
Sept 2024132
Aug 2024101
Jul 2024134
Jun 2024144
May 2024120
Apr 2024143
Mar 2024165
Feb 2024167
Jan 2024179
Dec 2023135
Nov 2023130
Oct 2023154
Sept 202395
Aug 2023141
Jul 2023122
Jun 2023189
May 2023145
Apr 2023137
Mar 2023164
Feb 2023166
Jan 2023188
Dec 2022148
Nov 2022124
Oct 2022154
Sept 2022154
Aug 2022168
Jul 2022171
Jun 2022148
May 2022225
Apr 2022161
Mar 2022174
Feb 2022179
Jan 2022175
Dec 2021126
Nov 2021147
Oct 2021171
Sept 2021271
Aug 2021169
Jul 2021201
Jun 2021174
May 2021181
Apr 2021168
Mar 2021213
Feb 202191
Jan 202191
Dec 202098
Nov 202087
Oct 2020100
Sept 202095
Aug 2020121
Jul 2020151
Jun 202083
May 202074
Apr 2020110
Mar 2020131
Feb 2020172
Jan 2020122
Dec 2019101
Nov 2019124
Oct 2019130
Sept 2019131
Aug 2019119
Jul 2019130
Jun 2019136
May 2019163
Apr 2019123
Mar 2019152
Feb 2019115
Jan 2019129
Dec 201867
Nov 2018103
Oct 2018117
Sept 2018104
Aug 2018148
Jul 2018137
Jun 2018156
May 2018124
Apr 2018110
Mar 2018128
Feb 2018141
Jan 2018104
Dec 201795
Nov 201788
Oct 2017109
Sept 2017109
Aug 2017130
Jul 2017107
Jun 2017102
May 2017134
Apr 2017134
Mar 2017159
Feb 2017121
Jan 201786
Is there a shortage of farmers?
Not high

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsUsual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedUsual
Note: uncertain in multiple indicators: change in hourly wage, online job advert density, hours and earnings due to proportion of self employed workers.
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
54%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for agricultural and related trades, which includes farmers. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London26
Dorset10
West Northamptonshire7
Buckinghamshire6
Cheshire East6
Dumfries and Galloway6
Somerset6
East Suffolk5
Herefordshire, County of5
Highland5
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where farmers are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 171 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from Philippines, Nepal, India, ranking it 83rd of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of farmers
5%!
8.2%!
15%!
18%!
25%
28%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–245% (small sample)
25–348.2% (small sample)
35–4415% (small sample)
45–5418% (small sample)
55–6425%
65+28%
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent18%
Higher education below degree13%
A levels or equivalent20%
GCSEs or equivalent27%
Other qualifications!5.3%
No qualifications15%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent18%
Higher education below degree13%
A levels or equivalent20%
GCSEs or equivalent27%
Other qualifications5.3% (small sample)
No qualifications15%

Main employers: mixed farming (31%), raising of dairy cattle (19%), raising of other cattle and buffaloes (16%), raising of sheep and goats (14%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
18%
as their highest qualification
Most common qualification
GCSEs or equivalent
held by 27%
Apprenticeships
3
from level 2
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 2 years
typically
Self-employed
80%
of people in the job

Routes in

Farmer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • agriculture
  • land management
  • farm business management
  • crop and livestock production

Courses and qualifications are available at agricultural colleges and universities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a course at agricultural college to learn some of the skills you'll need to start your career in farming.

Courses include:

  • agriculture
  • land-based operations
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, for example:

  • General Farm Worker Level 2
  • Poultry Technician Level 3
  • Livestock Unit Technician Level 3
  • Crop Technician Level 3

You could also apply to do an Assistant Farm Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you want to work in farm management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

You could get management experience by working as a supervisor, unit manager or assistant manager before moving into farm management.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Farmers work long hours especially during busy periods, such as lambing season and harvest time.

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) to keep up to date with developments in the farming industry.

The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs also supports young people in agricultural work and those interested in rural life.

You could join to:

  • learn new skills
  • keep up to date with rural issues
  • network with other young people
Further information

You can get more information about farming careers from:

  • The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture
  • Tasty Careers
  • Lantra

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for farmer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Fish farmer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject related to fish farming, for example:

  • aquaculture and fisheries management
  • marine biology
  • environmental science
  • sports fisheries and aquaculture
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge needed to get a job as a farm operative or assistant hatchery technician.

Courses are usually offered by agricultural colleges and include:

  • fisheries management
  • land and wildlife management (fish)
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Other ways in

Volunteering

Voluntary work in related areas can be a useful way to learn skills and make contacts in the industry. This can be helpful when looking for jobs.

Examples include:

  • taking part in water monitoring schemes with river trusts
  • ecological and fish surveys on waterways and lakes
  • getting involved with angling club work
  • temporary work with the Environment Agency
Apply directly

You could apply directly to fish farms for permanent or seasonal work. There are no set qualifications required but some paid or voluntary experience is helpful. A background in the sea fishing industry might also be useful.

Employers will also look for good practical and time management skills, and the ability to turn your hand to different tasks.

Other routes

You may be able to take a course like the Certificate in Fisheries Management offered by the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM). This would give you an introduction to the industry and can lead on to further training, or help in job interviews.

What you’ll need

  • have a full driving licence

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Fish and shellfish farms are normally located in the countryside and on the coast, sometimes in remote areas. You'll need access to a vehicle to get to work.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in the fisheries industry from the Institute of Fisheries Management.

You can get more information about jobs in fish farming and other farming roles through:

  • Lantra
  • Tasty Careers
  • The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for fish farmer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Agricultural contractor

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college, which may be useful when you start looking for work.

Courses include:

  • land based studies and technology
  • agriculture
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

  • General Farm Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Land Based Service Engineer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Livestock Unit Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Land Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Apply directly

You could apply directly to become an agricultural contractor. Employers will expect you to have experience of working on a farm and operating agricultural machinery.

What you’ll need

  • have a Certificate of Competence, if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw

Driving vehicles like lorries, tractors, harvesters and fork lift trucks can be part of your work. You can find out more about driving specialist vehicles from GOV.UK.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Association of Agricultural Contractors for industry training and professional development.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in agriculture from Tasty Careers and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for agricultural contractor. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

3 for this job
Level 2About 18 months

General farm worker

You gain
Level 3 award or training and assessment in emergency first aid at work minimum 1 day…; City & Guilds Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or…
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 18 months

Livestock unit technician

You gain
City & Guilds Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or…; Level 2 in Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 2 years

Assistant farm manager

You gain
Level 3 award or training and assessment in first aid at work minimum 3 day course…; Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City & Guilds Level 2…
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
Foundation Degree in Sustainable Agriculture with Dairy Herd ManagementHigher technical5
Foundation Degree in Sustainable Agriculture with Livestock ManagementHigher technical5
Foundation Degree Sustainable Agriculture with Crop ManagementHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • feeds and waters animals, takes responsibility for livestock health and welfare, treats minor ailments and calls vet if necessary
  • plants, propagates, sprays, fertilises and harvests field crops
  • undertakes farm maintenance tasks such as fencing, hedging, cleaning and building maintenance
  • operates and maintains farm machinery such as combine harvesters, straw balers, milking machines and tractors
  • arranges for the sale of crops, livestock and other farm produce
  • maintains records of production, finance and breeding
  • ensures good environmental practice is observed in all tasks

Skills

  • manage farm products
  • manage production enterprise
  • market farm products
  • supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings
  • manage the health and welfare of livestock
  • assess the necessity of new farming technologies
  • manage farm supplies
  • negotiate loan agreements
  • operate agricultural machinery
  • operate farm equipment
  • present the farm facilities
  • create crop protection plans
  • create soil and plant improvement programmes
  • estimate harvest costs

Knowledge

  • agricultural business management
  • agronomical production principles
  • agricultural production principles
  • crop production principles
  • environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry
  • environmental policy
  • health and safety regulations
  • livestock farming systems

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for skilled agricultural and related trades, a group of 5 jobs that includes farmers.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 13%about 47,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 2035266,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.