This past February, The Scoop conducted its annual salary survey via email to better understand the compensation packages for key positions in ag retail—sales agronomists and machine operators/applicators. With 125 responses, the top five states with respondents were Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Indiana.
Below are some of the key takeaways about entry-level positions, bonuses given and benefits offered. For machine operators/applicators, the top two ways to increase annual salary were to have another year of experience and have a positive attitude. For sales agronomists, the top two ways to increase overall salary were meeting bonus goals and increasing duties or responsibilities. Over the past three years, the benefits offered to employees have increased or been flat in all categories.
