Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
SOC 45-0000 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations is $35,520, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $39,970, and an estimated 432,200 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +19.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +1.7% after inflation.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $35,520 | $35,520 | 432,200 |
| 2022 | $33,970 | $35,368 | 461,750 |
| 2021 | $29,860 | $33,577 | 452,490 |
| 2020 | $29,670 | $34,931 | 478,770 |
Nominal change
+19.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+1.7%
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $35,520. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $61,060 | +71.9% | 1,320 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $58,050 | +63.4% | 980 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $57,580 | +62.1% | 1,340 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $55,560 | +56.4% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $52,390 | +47.5% | 230 |
| Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $52,040 | +46.5% | 840 |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $48,310 | +36% | 1,050 |
| East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,180 | +32.8% | 310 |
| Louisiana | $46,490 | +30.9% | 2,940 |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $46,240 | +30.2% | 270 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$30,010
25th Pct
$33,220
Median
$35,520
75th Pct
$43,240
90th Pct
$56,640
Related Occupations in Farming, Fishing & Forestry
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Farming, Fishing & Forestry occupations →