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Farm Operator Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Busey

Farm Manager

Decatur, IL · Hybrid

$58K - $74K/yr

Develop/maintain farm lease agreements with qualified farm operators.Make site visits to properties for purpose of evaluating operation, dictating reports to communicate with clients.Review periodic ...

New

Busey Bank

Farm Manager

Decatur, IL · On-site

$58K - $74K/yr

Develop/maintain farm lease agreements with qualified farm operators. Make site visits to properties for purpose of evaluating operation, dictating reports to communicate with clients. Review ...

New

AVS Bio

AVS Bio Poultry House Operator

Roanoke, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Reporting to the Farm Manager, the Poultry House Operator will assist with the daily care of laying hens to support the production of clean, high-quality SPF eggs. Responsibilities include monitoring ...

AVS Bio

AVS Bio Poultry House Operator

Roanoke, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Reporting to the Farm Manager, the Poultry House Operator will assist with the daily care of laying hens to support the production of clean, high-quality SPF eggs. Responsibilities include monitoring ...

AVS Bio

AVS Bio Poultry House Operator

Roanoke, IL · On-site

$22/hr

AVS Bio Poultry House Operator Location: Secor, IL Industry: Pharmaceutical Schedule: Days 6:00am ... Communicate regularly with Farm Management * Maintain biosecurity and follow biosecurity ...

Maplehurst Farms Inc

Grain Operator

Rochelle, IL · On-site

Join the Maplehurst Farms Team! Looking for a Career That Keeps You Moving? Do you enjoy working outdoors rather than sitting behind a desk? Do you like staying active, operating equipment, and ...

Maplehurst Farms Inc

Scale Operator Seasonal

Rochelle, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $20/hr

Seasonal Scale Operators needed - Multiple Locations & shift available Looking for a rewarding ... Be part of a team that plays a vital role in helping local farmers and customers during one of the ...

McCoy and sons tiling and excavating

Be Seen First

Operator / Laborer - Agricultural Field

Streator, IL · On-site

$24 - $35/hr

Job consists of operating an excavator and some other equipment, installing farm drainage, and performing labor in farm fields & trenches. Our business primarily works with farm drainage and water ...

Beverly Farm

Maintenance Operator B

Godfrey, IL

$15 - $15.50/hr

Maintenance Operator B Beverly Farm Foundation - Godfrey, IL - Godfrey, IL 62035 Overview Salary Range $15.00 - $15.50 Hourly Position Type Full Time Job Summary Maintenance Operator "B" will be ...

Beverly Farm

Maintenance Operator B

Godfrey, IL

$15 - $15.50/hr

Maintenance Operator B Beverly Farm Foundation - Godfrey, IL - Godfrey, IL 62035 Overview Salary Range $15.00 - $15.50 Hourly Position Type Full Time Job Summary Maintenance Operator "B" will be ...

HarveStaff

Entry Level Field Operator

Jerseyville, IL

$20.86 - $28.86/hr

Entry Level Field Operator JOB-10047351 Anticipated Start Date August 31, 2026 Location Jerseyville ... Operate farm equipment as required. * Assist with planting, pollinating, harvesting, weeding, field ...

Safety-Kleen

Operator Terminal

East Saint Louis, IL · On-site

St Louis, IL is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be responsible ... Maintaining Tank farm inventories. * Moving trucks around yard. * Testing oil samples that come in ...

CleanHarbors

Operator Terminal

East Saint Louis, IL · On-site

St Louis, IL is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be responsible ... Tank Farm experience preferred (Not Required). Safety-Kleen , a Clean Harbors company, has a ...

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All JobsFarm Operator JobsFarm Operator Jobs in Illinois

Farm Operator information

See Illinois salary details

$12

$20

$26

How much do farm operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for farm operator in Illinois is $20.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.65 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a farm operator do?

A Farm Operator is responsible for managing the daily operations of a farm, which may include planting, cultivating, harvesting crops, and raising livestock. They oversee the maintenance of equipment, management of farm workers, and ensure compliance with safety and agricultural regulations. Farm Operators also handle budgeting, marketing, and often make decisions on crop rotation, pest control, and resource management to maximize productivity and profitability.

What are some common challenges faced by farm operators when managing both crops and livestock, and how can they be addressed?

Farm Operators who manage both crops and livestock often face the challenge of balancing time and resources between these two demanding areas. Seasonal workloads can fluctuate significantly, requiring careful planning to ensure that planting, harvesting, and animal care are all properly attended to. Additionally, biosecurity and disease management become more complex when livestock and crops coexist. Effective communication with team members, the use of farm management software, and ongoing training in best practices can help address these challenges and improve overall efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a farm operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Farm Operator, you need a solid understanding of agricultural practices, crop and livestock management, and basic business principles, often supported by experience or an agriculture-related degree. Familiarity with farm machinery, irrigation systems, and agricultural software is typically required, and certifications in pesticide application or equipment operation can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, organization, and leadership skills set outstanding farm operators apart, especially when managing teams and adapting to changing conditions. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure efficient farm operations, maximize productivity, and maintain sustainability in a dynamic agricultural environment.

What is the difference between Farm Operator vs Farmhand?

AspectFarm OperatorFarmhand
CredentialsMay require a high school diploma, farm equipment certificationsTypically high school diploma, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentOperate machinery, manage farm activitiesAssist with daily farm tasks, manual labor
Employer & Industry UsageFarm operators are responsible for overall farm managementFarmhands support farm operations under supervision

Farm Operators oversee farm activities and machinery, often managing staff and resources, while Farmhands perform manual labor and assist with daily tasks. Both roles are essential in farm operations, but Farm Operators have more responsibility and may require specific certifications.

How to become a farm operator?

To become a farm operator, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience in farming or agriculture. Gaining skills in equipment operation, crop management, and animal care is important, and some may pursue postsecondary education or certifications in agriculture to enhance job prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Farm Operator jobs in Illinois?

For Farm Operator jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Farm Operator jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Farm Operator jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Farm Operator jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Farm Operator job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Farm Operator jobs in IL?

For Farm Operator jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Farm Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Farm Operator job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,703 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Farm Manager

Busey

Decatur, IL • Hybrid

$58K - $74K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Position Summary

The Farm Manager determines and carries out the goals and objectives of farmland owner clients. This position acts as farmland property manager in terms of overseeing all activities relating to farmland ownership for our clients. This includes both in office and on-farm activities related to both the physical production of farm commodities as well as the financial management of those activities.Duties & ResponsibilitiesOversee portfolio of farm accounts.Secure farm management agreements through prospecting, analysis, and sales.Determine goals of farmland owners and implement plans to achieve. Develop/maintain farm lease agreements with qualified farm operators.Make site visits to properties for purpose of evaluating operation, dictating reports to communicate with clients.Review periodic financial reports for submission to clients as requested.Communicate with clients internal and external required for day to day management along with recommendations to owners, reporting, and updates.Distribute funds from accounts as requested and desired by clients.Meet, on average, three times per year with farm tenant to discuss items related to various farming operations, such as financial settlements between owner account and tenants, farm lease renewal/termination, and crop planning, including discussion of things such as land maintenance, building care and oversight, drainage and drainage district issues, fertility, tillage and cultural practices, chemical selection, crop rotation, hybrid and variety selection, soil testing, material application methods, government farm program and all related management issues required for farm property oversight. Attend continuing education seminars as required.Education & Experience

Knowledge of:

  • Strong knowledge of general agricultural principles.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Accounting principles.

Ability to:

  • Analyze assignments based on a wide knowledge of many factors where application of advanced or technical concepts are required.
  • Maintain visual attention and mental concentration for extended periods of time.
  • Perform duties and make decisions under frequent time pressures.

Education and Training:

  • Requires Bachelor's degree, preferably in an agricultural-related field.
  • Professional licensing and accreditation is required (if unlicensed and/or unaccredited upon hire, new farm managers will pursue both in a timely manner).
  • Requires knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary offered is based on factors, including but not limited to, the job duties, required qualifications and relevant experience, and local market trends. The role may be eligible for bonus or incentives based on company and individual performance.

(Base Pay Range: $58,000 - $74,800/yr)

Busey provides a competitive Total Rewards package in return for your time, talents, efforts and ultimately, results. Your personal and professional well-being-now and in the years to come-are important to us. Busey's Total Rewards include a competitive benefits package offering 401(k) match, profit sharing, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance and long-term disability, supplemental voluntary life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, wellness incentives and an employee assistance program. In addition, eligible associates may take advantage of pre-tax health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Visit Busey Total Rewards for more information.

Equal Opportunity

Busey values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strives to recruit, develop and retain individuals with exceptional talent. A team with diverse talent, working together, is essential to Busey's commitment of delivering extraordinary excellence. Busey is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets. Visit Busey.com/Careers to learn more about Busey's Equal Opportunity Employment.

Unsolicited Resumes

Busey Bank, and its subsidiaries, does not accept any liability for fees for resumes from recruiters or employment agencies ("Agency"), without a binding, written recruitment agreement between Busey and Agency describing the services and specific job openings ("Agreement"). Busey may consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the Agency, unless an Agreement is in place. Any email or verbal contact with any Busey associate is inadequate to create a binding agreement. Agencies without an Agreement are requested not to contact any associates of Busey with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Busey respectfully requests no phone calls or emails.

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