Agriculture has long been a mainstay of the nation's economy, successfully feeding and clothing people in the nation as well as exporting agricultural goods around the world. This industry was once a labor intensive industry, providing jobs for at least 12% of the workforce as late as 1950. Because of mechanization and other technological improvements, agricultural output has more than doubled in the past 50 years, even though there has been a decrease in the number of farm-related jobs. In addition, plant and animal research continues to grow to keep up with global competition. Exports of agricultural goods continue to be in high demand, and agricultural production remains one of the nations top 10 industries.

Selected occupations with information on job growth,
percent growth, and earnings potential (listed by percent of job growth):

Occupation	Employment Levels in 1996	Projected Employment Levels in 2006	Job Growth	Percent of Job Growth	Entry Level Hourly Wage	Entry Level Weekly Wage (based on 40 hr week)	Entry Level Monthly (based on 168 hrs)	Estimated Average Annual Wage
Lawn Service Managers	3,210	4,750	1,540	48%	$8.04	$321.60	$1,351	$28,670
Floral and Plant Designers	18,150	25,620	7,470	41%	$8.92	$356.80	$1,499	$38,940
Organic Chemist	10,310	14,470	4,160	40%	$14.14	$565.60	$2,376	$48,590
Sprayers, Applicators	890	1,220	330	37%	$6.92	$276.80	$1,163	$22,120
Plant Breeders	7,330	9,890	2,560	35%	$16.66	$666.40	$2,799	$53,840
Landscaping/Groundskeepers	79,190	103,980	24,790	31%	$6.60	$264.00	$1,109	$20,570
Pruners	3,220	4,200	980	30%	$7.51	$300.40	$1,262	$23,560
Pest Controllers and Assistants	6,320	8,190	1,870	30%	$9.30	$372.00	$1,562	$26,640
Veterinary Assistants	4,540	5,790	1,250	28%	$6.92	$276.80	$1,163	$18,850
Veterinarians	2,880	3,660	780	27%	$17,89	$715.60	$3,006	$64,050
Veterinary Technicians	2,770	3,510	740	27%	$7.80	$312.00	$1,310	$22,920
Agriculture Managers & Executives	361,510	445,640	84,130	23%	$16.94	$677.60	$2,845	$72,740
Purchasing Agents and Buyers-Farm Products	4,510	5,510	1,000	22%	$9.54	$381.60	$1,603	$36,950
Biological or Agricultural Food Technicians	4,460	5,280	820	18%	$9.70	$388.00	$1,630	$34,990
Forestry Fire Inspectors	1,210	1,430	220	18%	$11.94	$477.60	$2,006	$39,500
Fish and Game Wardens	450	530	80	18%	$17.32	$692.80	$2,910	$43,890
Animal Caretakers-Except Farm	10,080	11,760	1,680	17%	$6.25	$250.00	$1,050	$17,320
Horticulturist	760	890	130	17%	$11.56	$462.40	$1,942	$43,090
Farm Equipment Operators	290	330	40	14%	$6.56	$262.40	$1,102	$17,620
Park Rangers	22,690	25,550	2,860	13%	$12.69	$507.60	$2,132	$42,340
Graders, Sorters-Agricultural Products	9,890	10,940	1,050	11%	$5.97	$238.80	$1,003	$14,130
Enologist/Winemakers	25,820	28,400	2,580	10%	$17,94	$717.60	$3,014	$61,430
Farm Equipment Mechanics	2,000	2,130	130	6%	$8.60	$344.00	$1,445	$27,180
Forest Conservation Workers	6,610	6,710	100	2%	$6.44	$257.60	$1,082	$20,950

Agriculture Occupations and Education Levels:

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA	1-2 YEARS POST-SECONDARY	4-YEARS OR MORE POST-SECONDARY
Ag Equipment Operator Crop Inspector Exterminator Fish Hatchery Worker Forestry Aide Gardener Greenskeeper Livestock Rancher Plant Care Worker	Ag Sales Representative Animal Health Technician Biological Aide Farm Equipment Mechanic Nursery Manager Tree Surgeon Feed Research Aide	Ag Business Owner Animal Breeder Fire Ranger Horticulturist Landscape Architect Landscape Contractor Plant Geneticist Veterinarian Water Control Supervisor Horse Trainer

Information source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group.