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Boston Career Explorer

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Also called: Animal Research Facility Supervisor, Cattle Manager, Farm Supervisor, Fish Hatchery Manager, Harvesting Supervisor, Hatchery Manager

Median pay in Greater Boston
$59,640
$28.68/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
200
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+7.3%
130 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$47,670$54,990$59,640$72,380$80,700

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
  • Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
  • Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
  • Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.
  • Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.
  • Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure33 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 34
  • Language-model AIOE 32
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 33

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has lower AI exposure, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools could help with record-keeping, such as tracking numbers of fish or shellfish harvested and shipped. Most of the work is hands-on and happens outdoors or around animals. That includes assigning crews, enforcing safety rules, and watching animals and fish for signs of illness or injury.

Likely to change

  • Recording harvest and shipping numbers
  • Tracking work assignments and schedules

Still relies on people

  • Directing crews and enforcing safety rules
  • Spotting sick or injured animals in person

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Your habit of inspecting animals and equipment carries over to inspecting and testing machinery. Training is on the job, with similar Boston median pay of $59,670.

    Pay difference
    +$30 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +5.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Hands-on equipment upkeep and careful observation carry over to repairing machinery. This path has 17.1% projected Massachusetts growth and Boston median pay of $75,200.

    Pay difference
    +$15,560 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +17.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Checking records for accuracy and making sure loads are secure fit your safety and recordkeeping habits. Boston median pay is $64,010, and the job needs a postsecondary nondegree award.

    Pay difference
    +$4,370 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +8.5%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

5 programs near Boston (plus 2 graduate)

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

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