Job Description
A beekeeper is a person who raises and cares for honeybees for agricultural and commercial purposes, such as crop pollination and honey production. A beekeeper may work for a beekeeping company, a farm, or as a self-employed entrepreneur. A beekeeper may also provide educational and consulting services to other beekeepers, farmers, or the public.
Who is a beekeeper?
A beekeeper is someone who has a passion for beekeeping, a knowledge of bee biology and behavior, and a skill in managing bee colonies. A beekeeper is also someone who respects bees and their role in the environment, and who follows ethical and sustainable practices to ensure the health and welfare of the bees. A beekeeper is also someone who enjoys working outdoors, in various weather conditions, and who can handle physical labor and potential bee stings.
Job demand for beekeeper in USA
The job demand for beekeepers in the USA is expected to decline over the next decade, according to CareerExplorer. This is due to the decline in honeybee populations, which has led to increased demand for commercial pollination services, but also to increased competition from wild bees and other pollinators. However, there may still be opportunities for beekeepers who can provide high-quality honey and other bee products, or who can offer specialized services such as queen bee breeding, bee removal, or bee education.
Responsibilities of a beekeeper
Some of the common responsibilities of a beekeeper are:
- Assembling, maintaining, and cleaning beehives and equipment
- Inducting wild swarms or purchasing bees to populate hives
- Monitoring hive activity and colony health
- Managing pests and diseases that may affect bees
- Harvesting and processing honey and other bee products
- Selling or marketing bee products to customers
- Providing pollination services to farmers or orchard owners
- Following local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines for beekeeping
- Keeping records of beekeeping activities and expenses
- Learning and applying new techniques and technologies to improve beekeeping
List of farms recruiting beekeepers in the USA
According to Indeed and SimplyHired, some of the farms or companies that are currently hiring beekeepers in the USA are:
- Beewise: A company that provides smart beehives and beekeeping services using artificial intelligence and robotics. They are looking for beekeepers to work in Merced, CA.
- Columbia Hospitality Inc: A hospitality management and consulting company that operates hotels, resorts, golf courses, and other venues. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA.
- ProductPlan: A software company that provides roadmapping and planning tools for product managers. They are looking for a beekeeper to work remotely and manage their rooftop apiary in Santa Barbara, CA.
- KLN Family Brands: A family-owned company that produces snacks, pet food, and candy. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their Tuffy’s Pet Foods facility in Perham, MN.
- Caribou Coffee: A coffeehouse chain that operates in 18 states and 10 countries. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their headquarters in Brooklyn Center, MN.
- Beekeeping Forums: A website that provides a platform for beekeepers to share their experiences, knowledge, and opinions. They are looking for a beekeeper to work as a moderator and community manager for their online forum.
- Columbia Hospitality Inc: A hospitality management and consulting company that operates hotels, resorts, golf courses, and other venues. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA
- ProductPlan: A software company that provides roadmapping and planning tools for product managers. They are looking for a beekeeper to work remotely and manage their rooftop apiary in Santa Barbara, CA.
- KLN Family Brands: A family-owned company that produces snacks, pet food, and candy. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their Tuffy’s Pet Foods facility in Perham, MN.
- Caribou Coffee: A coffeehouse chain that operates in 18 states and 10 countries. They are looking for a beekeeper to work at their headquarters in Brooklyn Center, MN.
How to Apply for Beekeeper Jobs in the USA
Beekeeping is a rewarding and fascinating career that involves raising and caring for honeybees for agricultural and commercial purposes. If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper in the USA, here are some steps you can follow to get started:
Step 1: Get Educated
Beekeepers need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enter this field. However, it is advisable to take some courses in biology, agriculture, or animal husbandry to learn more about the science and practice of beekeeping. You can also enroll in a beekeeping certificate or diploma program offered by some colleges or universities, which will provide you with more in-depth knowledge and skills in beekeeping.
Step 2: Get Trained
Most states require that aspiring beekeepers complete a training course before obtaining a permit to keep bees. These courses are typically offered by local beekeeping associations and last between one and three hours. They cover topics such as bee biology, hive management, honey production, pest and disease control, and safety precautions. You can find a list of beekeeping associations in the USA
Step 3: Get Equipped
To start your own beekeeping operation, you will need to invest in some basic equipment and supplies, such as:
- Beehives: These are wooden boxes that contain frames of honeycomb where the bees live and store honey. You can buy ready-made beehives or build your own from kits or plans.
- Protective gear: This includes a bee suit, gloves, veil, and boots to protect yourself from bee stings and other hazards.
- Tools: This includes a smoker, a hive tool, a bee brush, and a honey extractor to help you manage and harvest your hives.
- Bees: You can obtain bees by buying packages or nucs (small colonies) from reputable suppliers, catching wild swarms, or splitting existing hives.
Step 4: Get Licensed
Depending on your state, you may need to register your beekeeping operation with the local or state authorities and pay a fee. This is to ensure that your bees are healthy and do not pose a risk to other beekeepers or the public. You may also need to comply with certain regulations and guidelines regarding the location, size, and maintenance of your hives. You can check the beekeeping laws and regulations in your state [here](^2^).
Step 5: Get Hired
Once you have the education, training, equipment, and license to become a beekeeper, you can start looking for beekeeping jobs in the USA. There are various types of beekeeping jobs available, such as:
– Commercial beekeeper: This involves working for a large-scale beekeeping company that produces honey and other bee products, or provides pollination services to farmers or orchard owners.
– Hobbyist beekeeper: This involves keeping a few hives for personal enjoyment or selling honey and other bee products to friends, family, or local markets.
– Educational beekeeper: This involves teaching or consulting other beekeepers, farmers, or the public about beekeeping and its benefits.
– Research beekeeper: This involves working for a research institution or organization that studies bees and their behavior, health, and impact on the environment
You can find beekeeping jobs in the USA by searching online platforms such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or SimplyHired, or by networking with other beekeepers through associations, clubs, or social media.
Average Salary Structure of Beekeepers in the USA
Beekeepers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the bee colony they manage, and the geographic location of their job. According to various sources, the average salary of beekeepers in the USA is:
- $41,905 per year, according to PayScale
- $55,218 per year, according to Glassdoor
- $74,780 per year, according to ZipRecruiter
- $13.86 per hour, according to CareerExplorer
These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from different sources. The actual salary of a beekeeper may be higher or lower depending on various factors.
Benefits and Incentives of Working as a Beekeeper in USA
Beekeeping is not only a lucrative career, but also a fulfilling and enjoyable one. Some of the benefits and incentives of working as a beekeeper in the USA are
- Honey: One of the most obvious and delicious benefits of beekeeping is harvesting your own honey, which tastes better and has more nutritional benefits than commercial products. You can also sell your honey and make extra income.
- Environment: Another major benefit of beekeeping is helping the environment by supporting the pollination process, which is essential for the reproduction of plants and the biodiversity of ecosystems. You are also helping increase the bee population, which is declining due to various threats.
- Economy: By keeping bees, you are also contributing to the economy by producing valuable resources such as honey and other bee products, or by providing pollination services to farmers or orchard owners. You are also helping lower the prices of fruits and vegetables by improving crop yields.
- Health: Beekeeping can also have positive effects on your health, such as reducing stress and anxiety, boosting your immune system, and developing bee sting immunity. You can also benefit from the medicinal properties of honey and other bee products, such as royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen.
– Education: Beekeeping can also be a great learning opportunity, as you can gain more knowledge and skills in bee biology, behavior, and management. You can also learn more about the plants and animals in your area, and how they interact with each other. You can also share your knowledge and experience with others, and inspire them to become beekeepers or appreciate bees more. - Community: Beekeeping can also help you build personal and professional relationships with other beekeepers, farmers, or customers. You can join local or national beekeeping associations, clubs, or forums, and exchange information, advice, or support. You can also participate in events, workshops, or competitions, and have fun with like-minded people.
Conclusion
Beekeeping is a rewarding and fascinating career that involves raising and caring for honeybees for agricultural and commercial purposes. To become a beekeeper in the USA, you need to get educated, trained, equipped, licensed, and hired. The average salary of beekeepers in the USA is around $50,000 per year, depending on various factors. The benefits and incentives of working as a beekeeper in the USA include honey, environment, economy, health, education, and community. If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper in the USA, you can start by taking a training course and joining a beekeeping association near you..