How Much Does a Dairy Farmer Make in a Year?

Dairy products like cheese and ice cream are typically produced from cow's milk produced on dairy farms. Farmers and ranchers often partake in many different food production activities, so a single farm owner might produce animal products like milk as well as crops. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups dairy farmers with other farmers and ranchers in its income data.

Average Income

The bureau says that the average annual income of farmers and ranchers which includes dairy farmers was $42,710 in May 2009. This annual income figure was calculated based upon an average hourly income of $20.53. The median income of workers in the occupation was $32,350 and the median hourly income was $28.58.

Income Range

Income potential can vary significantly from one farmer to another based on the size of the farm, costs, productivity and other factors. BLS data shows that the middle 50 percent of income earners among farmers and ranchers made between $26,150 and $46,960 in May 2009. A quarter of workers made less than $26,150 while a quarter made more than $46,960. The top 10 percent of income earners made $91,710 or more while the bottom 10 percent made $18,900 or less.

Farm Manager Income

While many farmers own and operate their own business or rent farms to operate themselves, some farmers are actually managers hired by owners to manage farm businesses. The bureau reports that farm managers, ranch managers and agricultural managers earned an average annual income of $64,760 in May 2009. The average hourly income of workers in the occupation was $31.13 and the median hourly income was $28.58. Managers working the sub-industry of support activities for animal production earned $59,710 on average.

Farm Manager Income Range

Bureau data shows that the middle 50 percent of income earners among ranch and farm managers made between $43,180 and $78,770 in May 2009. The top 10 percent of income earners made $103,210 or more and the bottom 10 percent made $31,680 or less.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition; Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers
• CollegeBoard: Career: Dairy Farmers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment Statistics; 11-9012 Farmers and Ranchers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment Statistics; 11-9011 Farm, Ranch, and Other Agricultural Managers