Let’s say that you want to start a farm, and you’re going to use that farm to replace your current income. That’s a beautiful goal, I love it, but where do you start?.
Whether you want to raise vegetables, beef, eggs or honey, the process is the same. We’re going to use broiler chickens for this exercise.
Farmers can make a lot of money by raising chickens for meat and eggs. With more people wanting organic and locally grown chicken, chicken farming is a great way to make money. But how much money do chicken farmers really make? Let’s look more closely at chicken farmer salaries and the things that affect earnings.
Chicken Farmer Salaries
ZipRecruiter data shows that the average salary for a chicken farmer in the US is $44,697 per year. Pay can be as low as $22,000 or as high as $80,000, though, depending on place, experience, and size of business.
Some key chicken farmer salary stats:
- Average base pay: $44,697/year
- Pay range: $22k – $80k
- Top 10% earn: $63k+
- Bottom 10% earn: $30k or less
So while the average salary is just under $45k, top earners make over $60,000 annually. Let’s look at what impacts earning potential.
Factors That Influence Earnings
There are many things that can change how much money a chicken farmer can make every year.
Type of Farm
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Meat chicken farms – Farmers raising broiler chickens for meat production generally earn more than egg farmers. Wholesale chicken prices are higher than egg prices.
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Egg chicken farms – While less lucrative than meat chickens egg farming still offers decent income potential especially for free-range and organic eggs.
Scale of Operation
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Small farms – Typically earn less than $40k annually. Small scale operations have higher input costs per bird.
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Big farms: Farms with 15,000 chickens can make $60,000 a year. They benefit from economies of scale.
Farm Ownership Structure
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Contract farmers – Most chicken farmers today work under production contracts with large processing companies. While this provides stability, profit sharing limits their earning potential.
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Independent farms – Independently owned, non-contract chicken farms have greater revenue potential but more financial risk and instability.
Geographical Location
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Urban areas – Chicken farming near metro areas generally earn higher incomes due to proximity to markets.
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Rural areas – While land may be cheaper, remote locations have lower revenue potential due to transportation costs.
Organic and Free-Range Production
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Organic certified – These farms command higher market prices. Organic chicken can earn 2-3x more per pound.
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Free-range methods – Allowing chickens outdoor access adds production costs but enables pricing premiums.
Direct Marketing
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Farmers markets – Selling direct to consumers boosts profit margins for chicken farmers. But it requires time commitment.
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On-farm sales – On-farm stores and CSAs provide another direct sales channel at higher returns.
Value-Added Products
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Further processing – Instead of selling raw birds, further processing chicken into sausages or cuts adds value.
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Egg cartoning – Grading, washing, and packaging eggs helps capture wholesale accounts.
The Bottom Line on Chicken Farmer Salaries
While the average pay for chicken farmers is just under $45,000 per year, top earners bringing in over $60k annually demonstrate the earning potential in poultry farming. By focusing on broiler production, scaling up, direct marketing, and value-added processing, chicken farmers can maximize their income. However, substantial investments in housing and equipment are required to run a profitable chicken farm. Ultimately, the viability of chicken farming as a full-time business depends on keeping input costs low and optimizing every revenue stream possible.
Let’s Make $50,000 A Year Owning A Farm
We’re going to gloss over the fact that the average working-class income no longer supports a family. Too much to unpack there. As a random placeholder, we’re going to say that you need $50k a year to live the life you want to life. Who knows if that’s true? It’s just an example.
You’ve been to a few grocery stores in your area and written down how much chicken costs there. For $8/lb, you can sell a whole chicken that you raised on pasture, which is the best kind of chicken you can get.
You are raising chickens to an average of 4. 5lbs in 7 weeks, which gives you a gross revenue of $36 per whole chicken. (My personal record is a $52 chicken at $6/lb).
Assuming that chicks, feed, grit, processing, infrastructure, advertising, admin, insurance, etc… will cost you $25.20 per chicken.
- Gross Revenue – Expenses = Net Profit
- $36 – $25.20 = $10.80 per chicken
You are splitting the profit between paying yourself and reinvesting in your farm business.
- $5.40 to you
- $5.40 to the business
Simple Math To Determine Farm Scale
You can use this dangerously easy math to get an idea of what your life will be like if you decide to raise chickens for meat full-time.
- Look at the market to see how much you can charge for a chicken that was raised the way you want it to be.
- You are targeting an average 30% profit margin. That means your costs are 2070% of your sale price when everything is added up.
- Price – Costs = Profit
- In order to help the business grow, you are going to put 20% of your profits back into it and pay yourself 20% of that.
I’VE RUN MY EGG BUSINESS FOR 4 YEARS. HERE ARE THE TRUE NUMBERS
FAQ
Do chicken farmers make a lot of money?
Contract Payments: Farmers typically receive a per-bird payment, which can range from $0. 05 to $0. 10 per pound of live weight, depending on the contract terms and regional market conditions. Annual Income: On average, contract chicken farmers in the U. S. may earn between $20,000 to $70,000 annua.
How much do chicken farm owners make a year?
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Minnesota | $58,066 | $27.92 |
| Rhode Island | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| New Hampshire | $57,656 | $27.72 |
Is a chicken farm a profitable business?
Starting a poultry farm in 2025 can be quite a lucrative business venture, but it is important to consider the cost and potential profit before taking any steps forward.
How do chicken farmers get paid?
How are chicken farmers paid by chicken companies? Contract growers are independent chicken farmers who work under contract with a chicken company to raise chickens. They are guaranteed a base pay from the chicken company. Bonuses are given to farmers who raise healthy flocks and invest in their farm.