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Beekeeping Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Crew Manager is responsible for leading daily field operations within a commercial beekeeping operation. This role oversees a team of beekeepers; manages hive production activities; and ensures ...

Field Technician (CA)

Chowchilla, CA ยท On-site

$26 - $28/hr

About the Role We are looking for a motivated, reliable, and hands-on Field Technician to join our Operations team and support the deployment, maintenance, and repair of advanced beekeeping and agri ...

Recreation Specialist- PT

Carmel, CA ยท On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... beekeeping. * Provide details and information regarding activities to guests and assist in booking experiences. * This person must have good communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced ...

Beekeeping information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$49.8K

$70.6K

How much do beekeeping jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for beekeeping in California is $49,847.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $69,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by beekeepers, and how can they be managed?

Beekeepers often face challenges like managing bee health issues, monitoring for pests and diseases, and adapting to changing weather conditions that impact hive productivity. Regular hive inspections, proper pest control measures, and ongoing education are key strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, maintaining good records and staying up to date with local regulations support a healthy and compliant apiary. Teamwork with other beekeepers or agricultural professionals can also provide valuable insights and collaborative support. With preparation and proactive management, many obstacles in beekeeping can be successfully navigated.

Is beekeeping a good career?

Beekeeping as a career involves managing bee colonies for honey production, pollination services, or selling bees and equipment. It requires knowledge of bee health, environmental conditions, and often involves physical labor and seasonal schedules. Success depends on market demand, environmental factors, and the ability to maintain healthy hives.

What is beekeeping?

A beekeeping job involves managing and caring for beehives to produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products while ensuring the health of the bee colonies. Beekeepers inspect hives, monitor for diseases, provide food when necessary, and maintain hive structures. They may also harvest honey, breed bees, and help with pollination services for agriculture. Some beekeepers work independently, while others are employed by farms or commercial honey producers. It requires knowledge of bee behavior, hive management, and environmental factors that affect bee health.

What skills and qualifications are needed for beekeeping?

To thrive in beekeeping, you need a solid understanding of bee biology, hive management, and seasonal care, typically gained through hands-on experience or agricultural coursework. Familiarity with beekeeping tools such as smokers, hive tools, protective gear, and sometimes honey extraction equipment is advantageous, and certifications in apiary management can be beneficial. Patience, attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for working safely and sustainably with bees. These competencies are crucial for maintaining healthy bee colonies, ensuring productive hives, and operating a successful beekeeping business.

Is there a demand for beekeeping?

Beekeeping is a growing field due to increased awareness of pollination's importance and demand for honey and hive products. Job opportunities are available in apiary management, honey production, and related environmental conservation efforts, often requiring knowledge of bee health and sustainable practices.
What are the most commonly searched types of Beekeeping jobs in California? The most popular types of Beekeeping jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Beekeeping jobs in California? For Beekeeping jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Beekeeping jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Beekeeping jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Beekeeping jobs? Cities in California with the most Beekeeping job openings:
Infographic showing various Beekeeping job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, and 57% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,847 per year, or $24 per hour.

Beekeeping Crew Manager (CA)

Beewise

Chowchilla, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

We’re hiring a Beekeeper Crew Manager to oversee our field operations teams in Chowchilla, CA. The Crew Manager is responsible for leading daily field operations within a commercial beekeeping operation. This role oversees a team of beekeepers; manages hive production activities; and ensures colony health and operational efficiency across a large number of hives. The Crew Manager plays a critical role in executing production goals, particularly hive splitting and seasonal colony management, while maintaining strong team performance and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Supervise and lead a crew of beekeepers in daily apiary operations
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute large-scale hive splitting and colony growth activities
  • Oversee hive inspections, feeding, treatments, and overall colony health management
  • Monitor colony strength, productivity, and operational performance metrics
  • Create and manage crew schedules based on operational needs and seasonal demands
  • Review, approve, and submit employee timesheets accurately and on time
  • Train, mentor, and evaluate crew members to improve skill level and efficiency
  • Coordinate labor allocation and workflow to maximize productivity
  • Ensure proper implementation of mite and pest treatment protocols
  • Maintain accurate records for hive health, production, and labor tracking
  • Collaborate with operations and technical teams to support adoption of Beewise technologies and best practices
  • Enforce safety standards, biosecurity protocols, and company policies
  • Assist with hive movement, logistics, and equipment management as needed

In-office:
In person, Field
Benefits:

Why Join Beewise

  • Stock options
  • 100% paid medical, dental, vision (select plans)
  • 401k with match
  • Paid birthday off
  • Monthly phone stipend
  • Paid sick, vacation, holiday time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Beewise is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We provide reasonable accommodations as required by law. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still encourage you to apply.


Requirements:

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of commercial beekeeping experience required
  • Proven experience managing large-scale hive operations and splitting programs
  • Prior experience supervising or leading field crews required
  • Experience managing or supervising H-2A workers preferred
  • Strong knowledge of colony health, queen management, and pest/mite treatments
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
  • Ability to work long hours outdoors in hot, humid, and physically demanding conditions
  • Ability to lift and carry 50+ lbs regularly
  • Valid driver’s license required

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience managing 2,000+ hive operations
  • Experience working with or adapting to ag-tech or data-driven systems
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills in agricultural field environments

Work Environment

  • Outdoor agricultural environment
  • Exposure to bees, weather extremes, dust, and uneven terrain
  • Physically demanding role, especially during peak production and splitting seasons
  • May require early mornings, weekends, or travel between sites