Guide contents
Orchard manager salary in Australia
An orchard manager earns a base of $120,000 to $155,000, set by planted hectares and crop.
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.
| Operation scale (planted ha and crop) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single site, smaller planted area | $120,000 | $125,000 | $130,000 |
| Larger planted area or multiple sites | $130,000 | $140,000 | $145,000 |
| Large multi-site, almonds and macadamias at scale | $145,000 | $150,000 | $155,000 |
Tiers read in planted hectares, site count and crop: almonds and macadamias at scale price the top of the band. Manager-band orchard roles are often advertised without a figure, so the upper band leans on benchmarking and disclosed-range aggregates. The same band covers a vineyard manager: vineyard work prices inside this range, and the role is advertised under both titles.
Benefits on top.
Housing is standard on regional orchards, worth $20,000 to $40,000. A vehicle is standard, $10,000 to $25,000, the higher end with private use. Bonuses run 5 to 15 per cent of base.
What moves the number.
Labour and compliance intensity (audit load) set the base. Single-site versus multi-site remit moves it. Crop type matters: almonds and macadamias at scale price the top. Irrigation complexity and remoteness add on top.
Also advertised as.
Farm Manager (Orchard), Orchard Operations Manager, Vineyard Manager, Almond, Citrus or Macadamia Farm Manager.
For the full tree-crop picture, including total packages by operation size, read what top orchard manager roles pay. The supervisory role below this is the farm supervisor or leading hand.
Part of the Australian Agricultural Salary Guide 2026. How we built these bands: methodology.
Hiring an orchard manager?
March Talent Partners benchmarks and fills these roles for agribusinesses across Australia. For a band against your brief, not a headline number.
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