Setting salary expectations for your first job in ag

By Katelyn Sawyer, AgCareers.com

You’ve spent years studying, completed internships, and maybe even worked a part time job as you’ve built your resume leading up to graduation. Now that the tassels have turned and the caps have flown, your next chapter is about to begin: your career. As you comb through job postings, here are things you should consider about salary (and other factors) during your search for employment.

What can I expect from an entry-level job?

As you begin your job search, you may find that most of the roles you are qualified for as a recent graduate fall into the category of entry-level jobs. An entry-level job typically requires less experience, training, or education than a more senior role, but the definition and time frame of an entry-level role vary depending on the company or industry.

Entry-level jobs are often just the start-ing point for you to reach your career and salary aspirations. Companies are looking to fill entry-level jobs with recent graduates or young professionals with less experience. Consequently, these jobs may have a lower salary — and that’s OK. While your starting salary may be lower than you expected, entry-level jobs are designed to provide you with the experience and net-working that you will need to excel in your chosen career field.

It’s easy to get caught up on the dollar amount when considering a job, but remember to consider the benefits to your career of getting your foot in the door at your dream company or having a supportive mentor. Entry-level jobs are vital to building your repertoire of skills and connections within the industry, which are invaluable assets. Consider your first position out of school as your launching pad, embracing the opportunities to learn new skills and grow your network.

What salary amount can I expect right out of college?

Determining a ballpark range of the salary for a starting position is helpful for financial planning and budgeting. It is important to ensure that your expectations for career goals and salary are realistic. Online research tools can help you begin benchmarking an average salary range; this amount can vary greatly based on a variety of factors such as your job responsibilities, industry, company, geographical location, and more.

To get a more realistic expectation for salary, cross-reference salary reporting sources that are specific to your career path. Additionally, consider the impact that individual company factors, such as size and culture, can have on your pay. Ultimately, you should recognize that experience can have a big influence on your salary and adjust any salary expectations for your first role out of school accordingly.

Remember, your salary has the ability to grow as your skills and experience increase, which comes with time in the industry. Remind yourself that your starting salary is not the sole indicator of a good job or career and is often just one factor in determining whether a potential job is right for you.

Do all jobs have to include a salary range?

While scouring the internet for your first job, you may notice some job postings include a listed salary.

Many cities and even states have salary transparency laws that require companies with a certain number of employees to disclose a salary amount or range with each job posting. The laws call for employers to post a salary range (which could be broad) and do not necessarily include things such as commission, bonuses, or benefits, so job seekers should do their research to get a realistic idea of what a competitive salary for this role may be.

Job seekers could compare the salary range to similar positions in their field as well as their geographical area to get an idea of what a fair salary would be for this position based on their individual experiences and credentials. Where a jobseeker will fall in this range is influenced by factors such as education, experience, skills, and the value the company believes the interviewee can bring to the business.

Do benefits matter?

It’s not all about salary. While a higher salary may initially be more appealing, make sure to compare benefits that each potential company has before accepting any offers. According to the AgCareers 2022 U.S. Candidate and Employee Benefits Survey, 63% of job candidates and employees considered benefits important or very important regarding their necessity for job satisfaction. Jobs can differ on the provided benefits, such as insurance plans, bonuses/incentive pay, PTO or sick days, relocation packages, work allowances, a flexible work schedule, or remote work opportunities. Overall, having desirable benefits such as the ones mentioned can lead to an improved work-life balance or job satisfaction and are important to remember when job hunting.

What other factors should I consider?

Many additional factors can affect your overall level of job satisfaction. In 2022,

AgCareers.com asked candidates and employees which components of career development and company culture are the most important to them. The top-ranking components were challenging and meaningful work, professional development, and learning opportunities. Keep these often-overlooked factors in mind when job hunting.

Some employers offer a tuition assistance or reimbursement program for employees looking to increase their education or obtain additional degrees, which can be beneficial for moving up internally or within the industry. Supporting employees by providing training or certification courses reveals the importance a company places on investing in its employees.

Another factor to consider when looking for your first job is whether a support or mentor system exists to help you navigate the transition not only to the industry but also to the business world. A mentor is a valuable resource in the early stages of your career, helping you learn and providing expertise or guidance when needed.

Finding your first job may take a little time, but if you consider factors such as salary, set realistic expectations, and reflect on job benefits, you’ll be likely to land a starting role that will set you up for future career success.

Ready to jump-start your career? Visit AgCareers.com to post your resume on a site with hundreds of new jobs posted daily, explore our career success library, and attend events like our Feed Your Future Virtual Career Fairs.

This article originally appeared in the SF College Edition.