Starting cash wages ranged from $1,125-$3,000/month and averaged $1,978/month. When hiring, eight required either two or three references. Seven said they provide references to potential employees and four indicated they have written job descriptions for their employees.

Bonuses ranged from $250-$4,500 per year and were paid by eight of the employers. The bonuses were given at various times during the year such as: calving, haying, following a production sale, branding, Christmas, spring or fall. Bonuses were based upon: the effort put forth by the employee, percentage of calf crop, the market conditions and saving the ranch money in which the bonus paid was a percentage of the amount saved. One employer indicated that there was a retirement plan for the employee which they valued at $3,800/year. Four said they adjust wages annually. Three said they adjust wages depending upon several factors and one said the market determined when they adjusted wages. 

Vacation time varied from 5 days to three weeks. Five employers said that vacation days were allowed as the employee requested them or “as needed.” Seven said they gave the employees holidays off. Two ranchers said they allowed seven plus holidays per year and three allowed five holidays per year. One each allowed two, four and all major holidays. Nine employers allowed for sick days. One allowed five days. Another allowed one week and seven allowed sick days “as needed.”

Housing and utilities were provided by nine of the employers. They valued the housing from $150-$600/month for an average of $350/month. The value of the utilities provided ranged from $50-$380/month for an average of $198/month. Four employers provided some health insurance to five employees, the value of which ranged from $100 to $1,056/month for an average of $375/month. One employee paid $239/month and the employer paid $350/month for health insurance. Nine employers provided beef to full time employees. The value ranged from $100-$1,700 for an average of $827.

Two employers allowed employees to run cattle. One placed an annual value on running cattle at $1920/year and the other allowed 30 head for an annual value of $11,520. Seven allowed employees to run horses. Three allowed two horses, two ranchers allowed three horses, one allowed seven horses and another allowed 10 head. The value of running horses ranged from $200/year to $4200/year. Nine allowed employees to keep pets. Most specified that the pets were not allowed in the house.

Some of the non-monetary things employers said they do to retain employees were: allow employees to take their children to work, allow time for employees to care for parents and take to doctor appointments; provide roping cattle and arena for employees to use; send employees to seminars; use horses and not 4-wheelers; provide good housing or improve housing; provide new appliances; allow employees to use ranch equipment; don’t take advantage of employees; don’t expect the employee to do something the employer would not do and provide exclusive hunting rights on the ranch.

Employers were asked which skills they thought were essential for employees to have. Six said mechanical skills or being capable of operating and maintaining machinery. Knowledge of cattle, animal handling, and being a self-starter were mentioned by four employers. Three mentioned the importance of having work ethic and three said fencing skills were essential. Horsemanship/roping, welding and being able to work with others were all named by two of the respondents. Other skills listed were: property management, haying, administration, electrician and farming. When asked what expectations employers had for their employees, the top items were: honesty, being a self-starter, be prepared to learn and expand their skills, as well as take an interest in the ranch and its goals. They also mentioned employees need to be ready to learn, take initiative and go the extra mile. They expect employees to be on time, work hard and keep busy, use good judgment, respect the land and the animals, be able to do what they say they can do and have a clean living environment.

The most common challenges of hiring an employee were: finding dependable and honest people, distance from town and finding people who can see what work needs to be done and do it. Other challenges named included: verifying resumes, difficult for spouse to find work, good communications, finding people who can work on their own as well as with others, liability, health insurance and spouses who do not like ranch life.

Thanks to all of the employers who took the time to respond to this year’s wage survey. We appreciate their input. We have available, upon request, a more detailed report of the wage survey. You can obtain a copy by calling 402-376-2310 or 1-800-658-0551 or emailing sca@sandhillscattle.com.