by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Apiculture covers A Program That Focuses On Improving The Beekeeping Industry, Promoting Pollination Of Fruits And Vegetables, And Bee Colony Expansion And Maintenance. Includes Instruction In Apiary Behavior, Apiary Equipment And Supplies, Beekeeping, Bee Pests And Parasites, Handling Bees, Hive Set Up And Care, Queen Rearing, And Seasonal Management Practices. Examples: [Scientific Beekeeping], [Apiary Management]. Read on to learn the important information every apiculture major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering apiculture programs.
Studies in Apiculture build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations apiculture graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a apiculture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a apiculture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to apiculture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 51.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.6% |
| Some college courses | 6.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in apiculture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in apiculture prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to apiculture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to apiculture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | 232,282 | -1.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Animal Breeders | 118,381 | 1.0% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of apiculture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,195 |
| 4 years | $41,174 |
| 5 years | $47,624 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for apiculture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers apiculture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Animal Breeders | $49,553 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $35,854 |
Use our unbiased apiculture school rankings to find the best fit for you.
Students interested in apiculture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production | 841 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, General | 820 |
| Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 769 |
| Crop Production | 516 |
| Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management | 458 |
| Aquaculture | 127 |
| Dairy Husbandry and Production | 60 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, Other | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
