Each year, we spend a lot of time talking with people working throughout pork production. Compensation is always part of those conversations, but salary alone does not tell the whole story.
Our 2026 Swine Live Production Salary Survey received 136 responses. The results were reviewed before analysis, with incomplete or unreliable responses excluded from the sections where they could not be used.
The survey looks at compensation and career trends among veterinarians, nutritionists, live production executives, production managers, field service managers, farm managers, department heads, researchers, and technicians. Compensation includes more than base salary. Expected taxable income, incentives, and applicable benefits also need to be considered.
Here are a few things that stood out to me.
- Farm Managers were the largest group in the survey, with 26 respondents.
- VPs and Directors of Live Production can reach $220,000+ in base salary. We had 11 respondents in this category, and 70% were responsible for 10 or more production sites.
- Swine nutrition remains a highly specialized area. Three nutritionists participated, and the U.S. respondents with advanced technical specialization and PhD credentials reported total taxable income above $220,000.
- Field service and similar management roles may be worth watching when it comes to retention. Five professionals participated in this section, and all of the U.S. respondents said they were actively considering a career move. It is a small group, but still an interesting result.
- Practical production experience matters. Among the 26 Farm Managers, having a degree or managing a larger team did not automatically mean earning more. Managers with high school credentials could equal or out-earn degreed peers, and sow management showed some of the highest compensation levels.
- Technician retention may be an area to watch. We only had five Barn/Vet Technicians participate, so this is a small sample. Still, the results showed signs of turnover risk, along with lower entry wages for some of these positions.
The Differences Between Roles Matter
One thing we see quite often is companies comparing positions based mainly on job titles.
That can be misleading.
A Farm Manager responsible for one location is not necessarily comparable to someone managing several sites. The same applies to a production executive overseeing a large system, a field service manager responsible for tens of thousands of sows, or a veterinarian with many years of industry experience.
The survey shows those differences clearly.
For example, the veterinarian results showed that experience and tenure were important compensation factors. Supervising a larger team did not automatically mean higher pay.
That matters when employers are trying to determine what a competitive offer should look like.
Use the Data as Context
Salary surveys are useful, but they should not replace a clear understanding of the job.
Be specific about the scope of responsibility. Look at the number of sites, animals, employees, production phases, technical requirements, travel, and incentive structure.
Those details matter.
The 2026 survey gives pork producers and employers a clearer picture of what people across live production are earning and where there may be more movement in the talent market.
Our team provides this survey as part of our service to the pork industry.
Download your copy of the 2026 Swine Live Production Salary Survey: https://continentalsearch.com/ebook/pork2026/
Source: 2026 Swine Live Production Salary Survey, Continental Search.
Cris Soronio
Recruiter | Continental Search
Cris@ContinentalSearch.com
