Also called: Grape Grower, Winegrower, Vineyard Owner
Owns or runs a farm that grows grapes for wineries, deciding how to prune, water and protect the vines and when to pick.
In winter your crew prunes every vine by hand; in summer you walk the rows checking for mildew and pests and adjust the drip irrigation. At harvest you test sugar levels, call the winery buyer, and run picking crews before dawn.
Estimate; income depends on acres, grape prices and weather. BLS farmers and ranchers: $89,900 median (May 2025), which leaves out many self-employed.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree required; many grow up on farms. A viticulture certificate or degree helps a lot.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Viticulture & Enology, Agricultural Business, Horticulture.
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years). BLS projects -3% for farmers and ranchers overall, 2025-35; grape prices have been weak in some regions.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Sensors, drones and machine harvesters cut labor; vine care decisions, weather calls and winery contracts stay human.
Classes: Agriculture CTE (FFA), Biology, Chemistry, Business class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9013.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.