6 Promosing Controlled Environment Agriculture Careers for 2025

The controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry has reached a defining point. Over the past few years, the CEA space has faced serious hurdles as startup ventures failed to realize profitability – and big-name players like Bowery and App Harvest went out of business.

While obstacles have emerged in the CEA sector, the industry’s untapped potential still holds greater promise. With sustainability and farm-to-table freshness shaping consumer preferences, the CEA industry is well-positioned for long-term success—especially as global food demand continues to rise. These elements collectively pave the way for controlled environment agriculture careers in 2025.

As CEA continues to expand, so does the need for skilled professionals to drive innovation and efficiency. This growing demand presents exciting career opportunities for agriculture experts. Here are M&F Talent’s top controlled environment agriculture careers to watch in 2025: 

1. Leadership Roles

Leadership roles are some of the most in-demand positions M&F Talent has seen with CEA clients in early 2025.

Leadership roles in CEA are crucial for shaping strategy, overseeing operations, and driving sustainable business growth. With global food demand projected to rise by 47% by 2050, industry leaders must focus on building resilient and scalable business models while avoiding the missteps that led to the downfall of companies like Bowery and AppHarvest. Success in this field isn’t just about rapid expansion – it requires careful, strategic growth that balances innovation with long-term stability.

A few positions M&F Talent has seen open recently include: 

• Chief Operating Officers (COOs): these leaders optimize operations and sustainability.  
• Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs): positions that focus on branding and demand generation. 
• Vice Presidents of Sales (VPs of Sales): executives who lead sales teams and go-to-market strategies. 

These leadership positions generally require extensive experience and high levels of education – such as MBA programs. As companies scale globally in 2025, demand for strong leadership in CEA companies continues to rise. 

• Demand: High 
• Average Salary: $175,000-$250,000 per year 

2. Head Growers

Once again in 2025, head growers are one of the most in-demand skill sets among controlled environment agriculture careers. There simply aren’t enough people who have the proper education and professional experience to fill these critical roles.

As you might expect, head grower jobs require an in-depth knowledge of horticulture, crop nutrition, irrigation, and pest management, as well as the leadership skills necessary to manage a team. Not to mention, it’s crucial to have real-world experience working with CEA technology like environmental controllers, fertigation systems, etc. 

Head growers in CEA oversee all aspects of crop production, ensuring optimal growing conditions for hydroponic, aquaponic, and drip irrigation systems. They manage nutrient delivery, climate control, and pest prevention while implementing precision agriculture techniques. Additionally, they lead grow teams, monitor plant health, and fine-tune environmental parameters to maximize yields and quality.

Candidates must generally have a degree in plant science or a related field and hands-on experience in greenhouse or vertical farming settings. As the CEA industry expands, the demand for skilled head growers continues to increase. 

• Demand: High 
• Average Salary: $75,000-$150,000 per year 

3. Research and Development Scientists

Since sustainability and quality are some of the primary drivers of the CEA industry, research and development (R&D) scientists are also in demand in 2025. There is perhaps no better way to bring value to a CEA operation than by helping it produce better crops more efficiently. 

R&D scientists in CEA play crucial roles in developing new crop varieties, pest management strategies, and cultivation techniques. They stay at the forefront of automation and robotics advancements, integrating cutting-edge technologies to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. R&D Scientists also conduct extensive research on plant genetics, nutrient formulations, and environmental controls to enhance crop resilience, increase yields, and refine precision agriculture techniques.

Both crop producers and product manufacturers hire R&D scientists to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable agriculture. These roles typically require an advanced degree in agronomy, agricultural engineering, or molecular biology.

• Demand: Medium 
• Average Salary: $75,000 – $100,000 per year 

4. Outside Salespeople

The demand for outside sales professionals in the CEA industry remains strong, as it does every year.

Within CEA sales, B2C efforts are focused on fresh produce, while B2B sales occur largely between horticultural supply/equipment manufacturers and commercial producers. B2B sales often require more technical knowledge and hands-on industry experience than B2C.

Working with diverse clients like Grodan and Ridder, M&F Talent sees a consistent demand for salespeople who can balance the technical needs of direct-to-grower sales with the entrepreneurial spirit it takes to thrive in such independent positions. These professionals must master CEA technology—climate control, irrigation, and growing media—to convey value to commercial growers.

Unlike previous years, horticultural equipment and supply manufacturers are once again targeting cannabis producers as direct customers. Many industry experts believe the recent downturn in the cannabis market is set to rebound in 2025, leading to greater business stability and profitability. As a result, cannabis operators are expected to increase investments in equipment upgrades and cultivation materials.

For one of these roles, you often need a degree in business or a related field, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Demand: High  
• Average Salary: $65,000-$125,000 (plus commissions) 

5. Engineers

The reliance on automation and robotics in CEA makes equipment engineers indispensable in 2025.

Equipment engineers design the technology used in controlled environments – such as hydroponic systems, climate control equipment, and LED lighting. As such, equipment engineers are generally in demand with AgTech manufacturers like Bluelab, Argus Controls, Link4, and PL Lights.

Project engineers in the CEA sector are responsible for designing and implementing infrastructures like greenhouses and vertical farming systems. Engineering tasks are generally focused on system optimization, energy efficiency improvements, and compliance with regulations.

Jobs like these require a background in mechanical or electrical engineering, as well as some experience with automation technologies. Demand is expected to grow as facilities invest in state-of-the-art systems to meet rising production goals.

• Demand: Medium 
• Average Salary: $75,000-$130,000 per year 

6. Food Quality & Safety Professionals

Since consumer safety and regulatory compliance are top priorities in the CEA industry, food quality and safety professionals will be in high demand in 2025.

Roles like Quality Assurance Manager and Food Safety Specialist focus on compliance with FDA and USDA regulations, implementing hazard analysis protocols, and maintaining certifications like Global GAP. They conduct routine facility audits, monitor for potential contaminants, and develop standardized operating procedures to minimize food safety risks. 

High-profile foodborne illness outbreaks in late 2024 have underscored the urgent need for stronger food safety measures. One notable case was the E. coli contamination linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, which resulted in 104 infections across 14 states and one death. Additionally, the ongoing avian influenza epidemic has led to significant egg shortages and soaring prices, with some regions experiencing costs nearing $10 per dozen in early 2025. 

Food safety professionals typically hold a degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field, along with specialized training in HACCP, FDA and USDA regulations, and industry certifications such as Global GAP or SQF. 

• Demand: High 
• Average Salary: $70,000-$100,000 per year 

Summary

Nobody understands an industry’s health better than those on the front lines of the job market. At M&F Talent, we see the challenges of recent years not as signs of a struggling CEA market but as growing pains for an evolving industry still finding its footing.

In Q4 2024, M&F Talent witnessed a surge in hiring activity that matched our busiest seasons in years past. This momentum suggests a strong 2025 for CEA job seekers – in both crop production and product manufacturing. Whether you are a VP of sales or an engineer, vigilance in your job search will uncover solid opportunities. 

Despite challenges in the CEA sector, its untapped potential far outweighs the obstacles. As sustainability and farm-to-table freshness drive consumer demand, the industry is poised for long-term success. With global food needs rising, these factors create strong opportunities for controlled environment agriculture careers in 2025 and beyond.

Find Top Controlled Environment Agriculture Careers with M&F Talent!

Now is an exciting time to pursue a career in controlled environment agriculture. Whether your expertise lies in crop production, technology, or research, you’ll be joining an industry that’s revolutionizing modern farming.

Need some help searching for controlled environment agriculture careers? Contact us today to get started!