Guide contents
Assistant farm manager salary in Australia
An assistant farm manager, or 2IC, earns a base of $80,000 to $115,000, with the band shifting by sector. Broadacre and cotton sit at the top of the range, horticulture close behind, livestock a step below at hand level but level at senior 2IC scope.
All figures are base salary in Australian dollars. They exclude superannuation (12 per cent) and the package on top (housing, vehicle and bonuses). Figures as at June 2026.
| Sector | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadacre and cotton | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 |
| Horticulture | $80,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 |
| Livestock (senior 2IC scope) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 |
The livestock band is for a senior assistant manager or genuine station 2IC, not an experienced station hand by another name. Disclosed pay at that scope is thin, and the placeable market sits above the advertised sample, so the livestock band reflects placement experience rather than open ads. The horticulture band sits on benchmarking and structure data for the same reason.
Benefits on top.
Housing is commonly provided on broadacre and livestock postings, worth $15,000 to $25,000, and is site-dependent in horticulture. A work vehicle is standard, around $15,000, with private use less common at this level. Bonuses, where used, run up to 7.5 per cent of base.
What moves the number.
Sector, as above. Acting-up frequency and delegation push the role toward farm-manager pay once it owns rostering, a labour plan and real budget authority. Irrigation intensity lifts the technical roles, and remote postings add roughly 10 to 15 per cent.
Also advertised as.
2IC, Assistant Manager (Cropping, Orchard or Station), Assistant Orchard Manager, Farm Supervisor at some operators.
The step up is the farm manager, and the cropping pay picture is set out in what top operators pay farm managers.
Part of the Australian Agricultural Salary Guide 2026. How we built these bands: methodology.
Hiring an assistant farm manager?
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