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Chief Agronomist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Plant Grow Harvest

Regional Agronomist

Cochise, AZ · On-site

Regional Agronomist -- Potatoes Department: Farming Operations Location: Based in Arizona, with ... President & COO Employment Status: Full-time, exempt, permanent Travel: Approximately 50 ...

Five Star Cooperative

Agronomy Director

New Hampton, IA · On-site

Conducts department planning and updating meetings with the GM and CFO * Develops and implements agronomy departments marketing plans, objective, and policies consistent with the goals and objectives ...

Ecorobotix

Customer Success Manager

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Lead bug triage with the engineering team via GitLab, prioritize weekly with the CTO, and close the ... Degree in agronomy, turfgrass science, engineering, or equivalent experience * 3-5 years of ...

Blue River Legacy Farms

Be Seen First

Senior Farm Manager

Elizabethtown, NC · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Reporting to the COO/CFO, this full-time, exempt position is accountable for all aspects of farm management related to growing and harvesting blueberries, including agronomy, crew leadership ...

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Chief Agronomist information

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$11K

$52.4K

$83.5K

How much do chief agronomist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief agronomist in the United States is $52,398.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $60,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chief agronomist do?

A Chief Agronomist oversees agricultural operations and research to maximize crop yield, quality, and farm sustainability. They develop and implement strategies for soil management, pest control, and crop rotation while supervising teams of agronomists and farm staff. This role also involves analyzing scientific data, advising on best farming practices, and staying updated on technological advancements in agriculture. Chief Agronomists often collaborate with other agricultural professionals and ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief agronomist?

To thrive as a Chief Agronomist, you need deep expertise in crop science, soil management, and agricultural best practices, usually supported by an advanced degree in agronomy or a related field. Familiarity with precision agriculture technologies, GIS mapping systems, and data analysis software is typically expected. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help drive innovation and guide teams effectively. These skills ensure optimal crop yields, sustainable resource use, and successful management of complex agricultural operations.

How does a chief agronomist typically collaborate with farm managers and research teams to implement new agricultural practices?

A Chief Agronomist plays a central role in bridging the gap between scientific research and practical farm operations. They work closely with farm managers to assess current practices, identify areas for improvement, and tailor research-backed solutions to local conditions. Regular meetings, field visits, and collaborative planning sessions help ensure that new techniques are practical and align with production goals. Additionally, Chief Agronomists often coordinate with research teams to pilot innovative projects, gather data, and provide feedback for continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Chief Agronomist vs Agronomy Manager?

AspectChief AgronomistAgronomy Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Agronomy, certifications like Certified Crop AdviserBachelor's or Master's in Agronomy or related field, often with certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing research, high-level decision makingManaging field operations, supervising staff, implementing agronomic practices
Employer & Industry UsageAgro-companies, large farms, research institutionsFarming operations, agricultural service companies, cooperatives

The Chief Agronomist focuses on strategic leadership, research oversight, and high-level decision making, while the Agronomy Manager handles day-to-day field operations and staff supervision. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in agricultural organizations, but they differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What is a chief agronomist?

A chief agronomist is a senior professional responsible for overseeing crop production, soil management, and agricultural research within an organization. They develop strategies to improve crop yields, ensure sustainable practices, and often require expertise in agronomy, data analysis, and relevant certifications. Their role involves leadership, planning, and collaboration with farmers and technical teams.

Where do chief agronomists make the most money?

Chief agronomists tend to earn the highest salaries in regions with large-scale agricultural operations, such as the Midwest and certain Western states, where farming industries are prominent. Salaries are also higher in areas with advanced agricultural technology and research institutions, and experience, education, and certifications can influence earning potential.
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Chief Agronomist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Agronomist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,398 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Agronomist

Raleigh, NC • On-site

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 295 rated public sector bodies

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)external

$131K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

This position is located in the USDA, Office of the Chief Economist, Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP). OPMP's mission is to: 1) integrate and coordinate the pest management efforts of the Department; 2) provide data and analyses to EPA to better inform pesticide regulatory decisions; and 3) provide a Departmental focal point for farmers, grower organizations, EPA, and State Land Grant institutions regarding pesticide and pest management issues.
Qualifications:To be considered minimally qualified fort this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying.
Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below.
BASIC REQUIRMENTS:
  1. Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management.
OR
  1. Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education
Evaluation of Education: Course work in such subjects as botany, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant breeding or genetics, plant ecology, plant pathology, microbiology, agronomy, or those dealing with basic soil-water-plant relationships of an agronomic or ecologic nature may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in the basic plant sciences. Agronomy courses include agronomy, fieldcrops, field crop production or management, soil and crop management, plant breeding and development, weed control, and similar courses, including those in soils, biochemistry, plant physiology, etc., provided they dealt with principles, methods, or procedures that are applied directly in agronomic work and in the solving of agronomic problems.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At the GS-14, Qualifying experience for GS-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience conducting scientific risk assessments and/or benefits assessments for herbicide regulatory decisions; experience leading analyses of risk assessment issues relevant to pest management and herbicides; and experience identifying regulatory alternatives and evaluating risk mitigation options for herbicides. Mastery knowledge of relevant pesticide federal laws, particularly FQPA, FIFRA, and FFDCA is required.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualified for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that include your name, of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if selected.
Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degree from schools accredited by accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign Education: Education completed in a foreign colleges or university may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application.Employment Type: OTHER

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