CAREER PATHWAYS
Scroll below so we can guide you in the right direction for your future in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
Downloadable AFNR Career Pathway Brochures (available in 4 languages)
Career exploration doesn't have to wait until high school. In June 2026, we introduced a kid-friendly AFNR Career Pathway brochure designed to spark curiosity and help younger students discover exciting careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The back side include a coloring sheet. You can download and share it below.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SYSTEMS
Fields
- Hydrology / Statics
- Project Management / Continuous Improvement
- Construction Management
- Environmental Science
- HVAC / Building Automation
- Mathematics / Calculus
Jobs
- Waste Abatement Technician:
$51,000 – $77,000 - HVAC / Refrigeration Service Technician :
$61,000 – $87,000 - Environmental Engineering Technician:
$55,000 – $77,000 - Environmental Engineer:
$79,000 – $125,000 - Environmental Regulatory Compliance Specialist:
$79,000 – $119,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for environmental system occupations is about $94,000.
Pathway Description
Manage recycling operations, control water and air pollution, and dispose of waste to address public health issues, develop regulations to prevent environmental mishaps, analyze and research environmental projects.
BIOTECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Fields
- Chemistry / Biochemistry
- Biology
- Life Science / Biological Science
- Experimentation / Lab Data Collection
- Genetics / Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Mathematics / Statistics
Jobs
- Lab Technician:
$50,000 – $62,000 - Agricultural / Consumer Safety Inspector:
$70,000 – $78,000 - Chemical Process Engineers:
$88,000 – $142,000 - Chemistry Technician:
$50,000 – $67,000 - Biological Technician
$51,000 – $73,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for biotechnology system occupations is about $74,000.
Pathway Description
Make use of range of tools, including breeding techniques, to make or modify products or organisms, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses.
POWER, STRUCTURAL AND TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
Fields
- Robotics / UAS / UAV Technology
- Power Systems / Wind and Solar Energy
- Welding /Fabrication
- Materials Testing / Assembly Process
- Applied / Mechanical Drafting
- Precision Agriculture / GIS / GPS
Jobs
- Plant Maintenance Technician:
$62,000 – $76,000 - Electrical Engineer:
$69,000 – $108,000 - Mechanical Engineer, Wind and Hypersonics:
$90,000 – $136,000 - Wind Turbine Technician:
$60,000 – $78,000 - Wind/Solar Collections Engineer:
$95,000 – $155,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for power, structural, and technical system occupations is about $86,000
Pathway Description
Apply knowledge of engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power, structures and controls to agriculture. Innovate, design and build solutions.
NATURAL RESOURCES SYSTEMS
Fields
- Forestry
- Habitat / Soil Conservation
- Environmental Regulations / Law
- Biological Science
- Agricultural Engineering
- Environmental Science
Jobs
- Conservation Technician:
$59,000 – $63,000 - Natural Resource Specialist:
$79,000 – $98,000 - Forestry Coordinator:
$51,000 – $67,000 - Fish and Wildlife Biologist:
$56,000 – $86,000 - Animal Welfare Auditor / Environmental Specialist:
$58,000 – $89,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for natural resource system occupations is about $71,000.
Pathway Description
Maintain and manage natural environment; work in urban and rural settings, in the field and in the lab. Protecting wildlife, maintaining parks.
AGRIBUSINESS SYSTEMS
Fields
- Law / Regulation / Compliance
- Sales / Marketing
- Leadership / Supervision
- Customer Service / Experience
- Administrative Assistant / Tech Support
- Business Management / Finance
Jobs
- Solutions Analyst / Business Developer:
$92,000 – $161,000 - Ag Commodity Derivatives Trade / Financial Analyst:
$91,000 – $127,000 - Agronomy Location Manager:
$67,000 – $105,000 - Feed and Grains Receiving Agent / Harvest Receiver:
$38,000 – $51,000 - Marketing / Product Manager:
$125,000 – $190,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for agribusiness occupations is about $78,000.
Pathway Description
Coordinate activities that contribute to the production, processing and distribution of agricultural commodities and resources, promote agricultural products, and help finance agricultural businesses.
ANIMAL SYSTEMS
Fields
- Animal Medicine
- Animal Care / Management
- Animal Science
- Teaching / Mentoring
- Surgery / Anesthesiology
- Research / Record Keeping
Jobs
- Veterinary Assistant:
$37,000 – $45,000 - Lab Animal Technician:
$50,000 – $62,000 - Animal Breeding Technician:
$46,000 – $57,000 - Veterinarian:
$110,000 – $156,000 - Swine Grow / Finish Technician:
$43,000 – $56,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for animal system occupations is about $62,000.
Pathway Description
Working with and caring for animals of all sizes; opportunities to work directly with animals or to work with products from animals.
PLANT SYSTEMS
Fields
- Agronomy
- Mathematics
- Soil Conservation / Soil Science
- Horticulture / Plant Harvesting
- Landscape Design / Construction / Technology
- Business Operations / Farm Management
Jobs
- Plant Conservation Technician:
$60,000 – $91,000 - Trialing Specialist Technician:
$56,000 – $68,000 - Climbing Arborist / Tree Worker:
$52,000 – $67,000 - Groundskeeper:
$38,000 – $50,000 - Soil and Plant Scientist:
$58,000 – $80,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for plant system occupations is about $52,000.
Pathway Description
Study plants and how they impact our world. Feed our growing population; monitor food quality and safety; develop insect resistant crops; grow more food with less space; conserve natural resources.
FOOD PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING SYSTEMS
Fields
- Culinary Arts / Food Science
- Data Management / Mathematics
- Operations Management
- Good Manufacturing Practice
- Food Service Management
- Quality Control / Quality Assurance
Jobs
- Meat Cutter:
$43,000 – $53,000 - Grain Facility Maintenance Mechanic:
$57,000 – $78,000 - Food Production Associate / Operator:
$40,000 – $57,000 - Grain Elevator Operator:
$63,000 – $98,000 - Food Process Engineer:
$91,000 – $124,000
Pay
The median advertised salary in Minnesota for food system occupations is about $60,000.
Pathway Description
Study the physical, biological and chemical makeup of foods to improve food safety, create better processes, and enhance nutritional value and shelf-life: develop new flavors.
Source: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster – December 2025
Growing Opportunities
Explore a future career in Agriculture!
- According to USDA/Purdue University Study Agricultural students make up about 1% of the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary education.
- But there are 2x as many diverse job opportunities as there are qualified graduates to fill them!
- According to AgCareers.com 59% of agricultural companies expect their workforce to increase in size in the next 2 years.
Agricultural Education
Top 3 Majors for two year programs
- Horticulture
- Ag Business
- Ag Production/Operations
Top 3 Majors for four year programs
- Animal Science
- Ag Business
- Food Science
AGRICULTURE IS THE NATION’S LARGEST EMPLOYER
with more than 23 MILLION JOBS [that’s 17% of the civilian workforce] involved in some facet of AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.
(Data by National FFA Organization)
Agricultural Career Pathways
Campus Locations
Thanks to our partner, AgCentric, here is a listing of Minnesota State College Post Secondary Ag, Food and Natural Resources instructors along with their contact information.
