What’s a farm manager worth? Survey reveals all
© SolStock/iStockphoto One in five UK farm managers receives a total pay and benefits package worth more than £100,000, once non-cash elements are included.
The latest survey from the Society of Agriculture shows that 20% of farm managers’ salaries exceed six figures when accommodation, house bills, vehicle use and other benefits are taken into account – more than double the 8.5% recorded in 2024.
According to the responses from the 111 farm managers who completed the survey, the estimated average value of those benefits rose almost 40% over the past two years (£16,064 in 2026, up from £11,493 in 2024).
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In pure cash terms, 12% earn more than £100,000 – the same proportion as in 2024, although at higher salary levels.
Graham Redman, a partner at the Andersons Centre and co-author of the survey report, which has been carried out biennially since 1969, says the increase reflects both inflation and the growing complexity of farm businesses.
“The demands on the person managing the business are increasing as farm businesses become more complex,” he says.
“Those people who are most capable are able to generate the biggest returns, so I would expect them to earn these higher salaries because it’s a very demanding job.
“The increase in the value of benefits may be a way of providing a bit more security, more added value, and more of an incentive to encourage people into the sector,” he suggests.
“People don’t simply work for cash any longer. There need to be other things that incentivise people to work with different companies, and that’s the same in agriculture.”
Society of Agriculture Farm Manager Survey – key points
- Almost all (97%) of farm managers who responded to the survey do some physical work, but for most it accounts for less than 25% of their time
- The highest earners do the least amount of manual work
- Almost all farm managers have responsibility for the day-to-day organisation of the business and decisions relating to the farm system, while 55% have financial control of the business
- One-third of farm managers earn income from other sources
- About half of farm managers receive a fixed salary, with the remaining receiving a bonus and/or a share of profits
- 91% of managers have a degree or diploma education, earning more than £15,000 above those without these qualifications
- The number of female farm managers remains low, with women accounting for just 5% – unchanged from the previous survey
- Most farm managers live in central, southern and eastern England.
Average pay up 13% in two years
Across the respondents, average total cash earnings rose 13.3% in two years to £67,605, up from £59,695 in 2024.
That figure consists of an average gross annual salary of £63,994 plus £3,611 in bonuses and profit share.
Gross salary alone has increased by 16.9% since 2024, from £54,753 to £63,994, the survey found, with the majority of managers (53%) earning between £50,000 and £70,000 in cash terms.
Those earning six-figure salaries are generally managing larger, more complex operations: Some 19% manage more than 3,000ha – double the proportion recorded in 2020, while about one-third manage less than 800ha.
Graham says the role increasingly demands corporate-style skills, with the best managers being able to manage people, risk and production systems.
“The best managers are going to be getting a lot out of the people rather than just the systems – they need to understand what generates return and what drives risk.”
As basic payments are phased out and businesses diversify, managers are also expected to identify new income streams.
“Managers are now having to look around at non-farming opportunities – unused land, buildings, other resources.
“Spotting those opportunities and generating value from them is where you start to see that step change in salary.”
Experience and qualifications
While the average UK farmer is 59 years old, the survey shows that on average farm managers are significantly younger.
Some 44% are under 40 – double the proportion compared with a decade ago – while 18% are younger than 30.
Almost one-fifth of managers have less than five years’ experience in their posts, and half have less than 10 years.
Most (91%) of farm managers have a degree or diploma education, but the survey suggests that experience is worth more than qualifications to employers.
“In broad terms, salaries rise £3,000/year for the first 10 years of experience, then by another £1,000/year thereafter before inflation,” the report says.
“First-time appointments are earning a similar wage to [those for] the same posts in 2018, but those with 15 years’ experience are now earning approaching £25,000/year more than then.”
The survey does not capture whether people are moving between roles more frequently.
Looking ahead, salary pressure will inevitably reflect farm profitability, says Graham.
“If someone is earning six figures, they’re going to have a relatively high-pressure job and quite a lot of enterprises to juggle.
“I wouldn’t necessarily expect big swings in base salary, but bonuses will always reflect what’s happening in markets and profitability.”
Farm managers’ pay and benefits – key figures |
|||||
|
|
2018 |
2020 |
2022 |
2024 |
2026 |
|
Number in sample |
69 |
120 |
129 |
97 |
111 |
|
Average gross annual pre-tax salary (£) |
48,760 |
46,527 |
50,224 |
54,753 |
63,994 |
|
Average additional share of profits/bonus (£) |
3,508 |
3,016 |
3,082 |
4,941 |
3,611 |
|
Total gross annual salary + profit share/bonus (£) |
52,268 |
49,543 |
53,306 |
59,695 |
67,605 |
|
Estimated average value of non-cash benefits (£) |
14,053 |
8,339 |
10,766 |
11,493 |
16,064 |
Survey details
The survey – Farm managers in 2026, their jobs and their pay – was compiled by Richard Crane – manager of the central and south-east region of the Farm Business Survey for Promar International; Graham Redman – a partner of The Andersons Centre, a director of Agro Business Consultants and editor of The John Nix Farm Management Pocketbook and Victoria Bywater – director of The Society of Agriculture.
The Society of Agriculture was formed on 1 January 2026 through the merger of The Institute of Agricultural Management and The British Institute of Agricultural Consultants. Its purpose is to strengthen professional credibility, raise standards, and support confident leadership through a period of major change for the sector.
Society of Agriculture members can get a free copy of the full survey results by emailing info@soc-ag.org. Non-members can obtain a copy for £25 by emailing info@soc-ag.org.
Where next for farm managers and salaries?
If farm profitability tightens over the coming seasons, the potential impact on salaries, bonuses and benefits will depend on the structure of remuneration packages.
“It depends on how that bonus is calculated, and it will vary from farm to farm.
If it’s based on profit, then managers will experience good years and bad years based on factors completely outside their control, such as prices and markets,” says Andersons’ Graham Redman.
Bonuses have already fallen from £4,941 in 2024 to £3,611 in 2026, reflecting weaker returns in some sectors.
“If profits fall, justifying six figures will put more demands on the manager to demonstrate value,” he says. “But if someone is earning six figures, it’s already a relatively high-pressure job.”
Farm businesses are expected to continue growing in scale and complexity, with contract farming, share arrangements and larger, more diverse rotations becoming more common, while the loss of direct payments is forcing managers to identify new income streams.
Looking ahead, Graham expects pay levels to continue rising broadly in line with inflation and business growth.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see a greater number of people earning higher salaries, because that reflects the complexity of the industry and how farms are growing.
“It would also be good to continue to see more young people coming through, and to see more women in the industry.”
