How to become a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Official title: First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Also called: Animal Research Facility Supervisor, Cattle Manager, Farm Supervisor, Fish Hatchery Manager, Harvesting Supervisor, Hatchery Manager, Logging Crew Foreman, Logging Supervisor, Pest Management Supervisor, Wildlife Manager
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.
Main tasks
- Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
- Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
- Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
- Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.
- Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.
- Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.
- Treat animal illnesses or injuries, following experience or instructions of veterinarians.
- Train workers in spawning, rearing, cultivating, and harvesting methods, and in the use of equipment.
How to become one
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Bison Herd Manager.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $59,320 a year The middle half earn $46,670 to $75,290.
- About 57,600 people work in this job now, and about 59,800 are projected by 2035. (+3.8%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers?
Ways in include: Bison Herd Manager.
How much does a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $59,320 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $46,670 to $75,290.
Is a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 57,600 to about 59,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers?
Usually not. Only 17% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Bison Herd Manager.
Will AI change the work of a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page 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.