Director

Farm Operations Technical Director

The agricultural operations leader — directing farm technical operations and production management.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
R
C
I
S
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Farm Operations Technical Directors
Employment concentration · ~33 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Farm Operations Technical Director

As Farm Operations Technical Director, you lead the technical and operational aspects of farm production. You oversee crop or livestock production, manage farm operations teams, implement agricultural best practices, and optimize production efficiency. This role combines agricultural expertise with operations management.

Your days involve both strategic and hands-on leadership. You might review production data, address a crop or livestock issue, plan planting or harvesting operations, meet with agronomists or veterinarians, manage farm equipment and resources, and ensure compliance with agricultural regulations. You drive production outcomes.

The hardest part is managing the inherent variability of agriculture — weather, pests, markets, and biological systems introduce uncertainty that must be navigated. Farm Operations Directors who thrive combine deep agricultural knowledge with strong operations management, make sound decisions under uncertainty, and build teams that can execute in challenging conditions.

IndependenceAbove avg
AchievementModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
RelationshipsModerate
RecognitionModerate
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Production typeScale of operationsTechnology levelGeographic contextMarket focus
Farm Operations Director roles vary by production type — row crops, specialty crops, livestock, dairy all require different expertise. Scale ranges from large commercial operations to smaller specialty farms. Technology adoption varies from traditional to precision agriculture. Geographic and climate context affects operations. Market focus (commodity vs. specialty, organic vs. conventional) affects approach.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Farm Operations Technical Directors (SOC 11-9013.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Farm Operations Technical Director career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Agricultural business management
Senior roles require P&L and market understanding
2
Sustainability practices
Sustainable agriculture is increasingly important
3
Technology adoption
Precision agriculture and technology are transforming farming
What is the production focus — crops, livestock, or mixed?
What is the scale and scope of operations?
What technology is used in production?
What are the key production challenges?
How is success measured?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$52K–$157K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
6K
U.S. Employment
-1.3%
10yr Growth
86K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionManagement of Personnel ResourcesSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementSocial Perceptiveness
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-9013.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.