Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
4 surprising careers you can pursue in agriculture in Alabama
Reading time: 7 minutes
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Did you know that many agriculture graduates are making well over six figures? The industry is much more than farmers and cows, featuring careers in science, event planning, sports and more.
Read on to discover four surprising career paths you can pursue in Auburn’s College of Agriculture.
1. Applied Biotechnology
When thinking of agriculture, most of us picture old-fashioned barns and plows, but at its core, agriculture is applied science. We spoke with Dr. Held from Auburn’s Biotechnology degree program to learn how students can thrive in this science-oriented agricultural degree.
- Lucrative career paths:
According to Dr. Held, the most lucrative—and yet the most risky—path in Biotechnology is becoming an entrepreneur. Generally, these folks develop an idea, technology or product during a class or graduate project and turn it into a business.
Dr. Held has even seen many of these serial entrepreneurs (people who start a company, sell it and start over again) succeed in the field. He met one biomedical professional who had started and sold 20 biotech companies in their career.
For a less risky path, Dr. Held says many new graduates launch their careers working with startup biotech companies.
- Average industry earnings:
Entry-level positions generally start in the $45,000-$60,000 range, depending on experience. However, as an individual gains more experience or graduate degrees, they can advance substantially. For example, the national average salary for a Biosystems Engineer is $153,648.
- Successful Auburn grads in Applied Biotechnology:
Auburn’s Applied Biotechnology program is relatively new, so they have not been able to produce any startup entrepreneurs yet. However, they have seen several students launch successful careers in startup companies, research labs or federal labs.
- Why you should pursue Applied Biotechnology:
“Biotechnology is the cutting edge of biology and business. The big issues in society (food security, climate change, pollution, etc.) are already being addressed with biotechnology. That said, we still need an estimated 18,000 trained people each year to meet the needs of the growing biotechnology industry.”
Dr. Held, Professor and Chair, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
2. Horticulture
Horticulture goes far beyond backyard gardening. It’s a thriving industry featuring many opportunities—from wedding floral design to agricultural engineering.
We spoke to Morgan Martin in Auburn’s College of Agriculture. In addition to being the academic advisor for the Horticulture Department, Morgan runs her own floral design and wedding planning business named Morgan Martin Inspired. She has managed up to 52+ weddings and events annually.
- Lucrative career paths:
According to Indeed, horticulture graduates can find successful careers and strong average earnings as agricultural engineers ($80k), landscape architects ($71k), loggers ($67k), irrigation technicians ($50k), farmers ($48k) and more.
- Average industry earnings:
“In our area, floral designers typically earn around $50,000 annually, with salaries ranging from $35,000 to $80,000 or higher depending on business size and clientele. The flexibility within this field is one of its greatest strengths—it can support both full-time careers and part-time pursuits, depending on the needs of the community and the scale of your business.”
Morgan Martin, Horticulture Department Student Advisor + Founder of Morgan Martin Inspired
- Successful Auburn grads in Horticulture:
Morgan Martin herself is a prime example of a successful Auburn graduate working in Horticulture:
“In my senior year, I took a floral design course with Dr. Robinson as a free elective and completed an internship with M. Elizabeth Events in Birmingham, AL. These experiences led me to open my own floral design and event planning business, Morgan Martin Inspired, which is celebrating its five-year anniversary this year.”
Morgan Martin, Horticulture Department Student Advisor + Founder of Morgan Martin Inspired
- Why you should pursue Horticulture:
“The Horticulture industry is truly thriving, with 100% job placement, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Whether you’re passionate about business, hands-on work or the creative side of horticulture, there’s a place for everyone. There’s always room for innovation and personal growth in this field, and it’s exciting to be part of such a dynamic and diverse industry.”
Morgan Martin, Horticulture Department Student Advisor + Founder of Morgan Martin Inspired
3. Turfgrass
When thinking of future careers, turfgrass is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But did you know that turfgrass graduates can easily make six figures and land dream jobs with big sports teams? We spoke with Dr. Hague in Auburn’s Crop, Soil and Environmental Science department to get more details.
- Lucrative career paths:
“Our students have become managers of sports fields, golf courses and municipal parks. They have also started their own turfgrass-related businesses, including sod production and installation and sales of turfgrass-related products. Some also go to graduate school for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.”
Dr. Hague, Head of Department, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences
- Average industry earnings:
Salaries can vary by location and employer, but Dr. Hague says that most Auburn graduates start out earning $50,000-$75,000 in entry-level jobs. However, many get promotions and raises within the first few years and can easily double their salaries.
- Successful Auburn grads in Turfgrass:
One of Auburn’s recent graduates, Jackson Elsberry, recently joined the grounds crew at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.
- Why you should pursue Turfgrass:
“Turfgrass is one of those undergraduate programs where once you complete your B.S., the sky is the limit. You can pursue most career tracks to the highest levels and never hit a ‘graduate degree’ ceiling. This is a great degree for folks who enjoy using their creativity, being outside and seeing tangible results of their hard work.”
Dr. Hague, Head of Department, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences
4. Poultry Science
The poultry industry is one of the most lucrative industries in the nation and includes all types of positions—from hands-on work to executive leadership roles. We spoke with Dr. Starkey from Auburn’s Poultry Science Department to learn more.
- Lucrative career paths + average industry earnings:
According to Dr. Starkey, here are some potential career paths and average annual salaries Poultry Science graduates can pursue:
Note: Some career paths may require graduate degrees.
- Poultry Veterinarian ($120k)
- Poultry Processing Plant Manager ($110k)
- Poultry Live Operations Manager ($110k)
- Food Scientist/Poultry Product R&D ($90k)
- Poultry Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager ($90k)
- Broiler Manager ($75k)
- Breeder Manager ($75k)
- Processing Superintendent ($75k)
- Hatchery Manager ($75k)
- Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisor ($60k)
- Processing Supervisor, entry-level ($60k)
- Breeder Service Technician, entry-level ($45-50k)
- Broiler Service Technician, entry-level ($45k)
- Successful Auburn grads in Poultry Science:
Dr. Starkey has seen so many success stories over the years. To name a few, several graduates have gone on to:
- Become the CEO of Aviagen and work with the World Poultry Foundation
- Serve as the Director of Processing at Peco Foods
- Work as the Director of Veterinary Services with Koch Foods
- Why you should pursue Poultry Science:
“Poultry is by far the most consumed meat source in the USA and consumption as well as production are on the rise both domestically and globally. Though off the beaten path, poultry science career choices are plentiful, diverse and lucrative. All these career paths play a critical role in producing affordable and healthy poultry meat and eggs for consumers to enjoy, and many do not involve the daily care or handling of live birds.
People need to eat. So why not choose a career where you are part of something critical to our society?”
Dr. Starkey, Associate Professor, Poultry Science Department
Discover your dream career by applying to Auburn’s College of Agriculture.
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