Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earn a median of $35,660 per year ($17.15/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 2.4% through 2035, with about 72,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 45-2092
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,660a year, or $17.15/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $33KTop 10% $46K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -2.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−2.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −2.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 72,500546,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025546.8K
- Projected 2035533.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 546.8K Projected 2035 533.6K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school39%
- High school28.5%
- Some college5.3%
- Bachelor's15.3%
- Master's5.1%
- Professional degree3%
Highest education held by farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse Segment Value Less than high school 39% High school 28.5% Some college 5.3% Bachelor's 15.3% Master's 5.1% Professional degree 3%
Also advertised as: Farm Laborer, Farmer, Field Irrigation Worker, Gardener, Greenhouse Worker, Grower.
Pay
How much do farmworkers and laborers make?
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earn a median of $35,660 a year ($17.15 an hour, or about $2,970 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $32,900 and the top 10% more than $45,690 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Wyoming, with a median of $55,180. See Farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse salary in Wyoming and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Portland ($51,400 average): salary in every city.
Every farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,660
Middle half earn $34,320 to $38,840
- 10th
- $32,900
- 25th
- $34,320
- 75th
- $38,840
- 90th
- $45,690
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,900 |
| 25th | $34,320 |
| Median | $35,660 |
| 75th | $38,840 |
| 90th | $45,690 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,660
- Median hourly wage
- $17.15/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $37,630
- People employed
- 265,500
Versus all US occupations
At $35,660, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earn 30% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,320 a year.
Versus farming, fishing, and forestry occupations
Inside the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry group, where the middle occupation pays $45,005, this is 21% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $45,690 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,900, a gap of 1.4×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 2% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Wyoming pays the most at $55,180, and still leads at $59,531 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay farmworkers and laborers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Wyoming | $55,180 | $59,531 | 50 |
| 2South Dakota | $42,260 | $47,705 | 190 |
| 3Montana | $41,390 | $43,732 | 720 |
| 4Illinois | $41,050 | $41,067 | 2,850 |
| 5New York | $40,930 | $37,926 | 2,760 |
| 6Nebraska | $39,530 | $43,872 | 440 |
| 7Washington | $39,170 | $36,603 | 13,490 |
| 8Maine | $39,060 | $40,247 | 280 |
| 9Michigan | $38,680 | $40,201 | 5,410 |
| 10Maryland | $38,420 | $36,605 | 1,380 |
Job outlook
Is farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -2.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | −2.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse to change -2.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 13,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 72,500 openings are projected each year, 13.3% of the 546,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of agricultural workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of agricultural workers varies by occupation (see table).
Despite increased demand for crops and other agricultural products, demand for some types of farmworkers and agricultural workers is expected to be limited as agricultural establishments continue to use technologies that increase farmworkers’ productivity.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
Most agricultural workers do not need a formal educational credential to enter these occupations; however, animal breeders typically need at least a high school diploma. Agricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.
- Less than a High School Diploma39%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)28.5%
- Bachelor's Degree15.3%
- Some College Courses5.3%
- Master's Degree5.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 39% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 28.5% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 15.3% |
| Some College Courses | 5.3% |
| Master's Degree | 5.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse do?
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock. They perform physical labor and operate machinery under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
- Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
- Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
- Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
- Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
- Load agricultural products into trucks, and drive trucks to market or storage facilities.
- Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Fatal injury rate: 19 per 100,000 workers (5.8x the 3.3 average)
BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024, for the group “Miscellaneous agricultural workers”: 147 deaths that year.
Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because living crops and animals need constant care, workers’ schedules may vary to include early mornings, weekends, and holidays.
Many agricultural workers have seasonal schedules. Seasonal schedules typically include longer periods of work during planting or harvesting or when animals must be sheltered and fed.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Writing2.8
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Monitoring2.8
- Active Learning2.6
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Operation and Control2.8
- Repairing2.8
- Time Management2.8
- Equipment Maintenance2.6
- Troubleshooting2.6
- Quality Control Analysis2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Operation and Control | 2.8 |
| Repairing | 2.8 |
| Time Management | 2.8 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.6 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Mobile location based services software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
Women make up 27.0% of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole.
21.3% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 40.6 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 27.0%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 40.6All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.3%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 765,000Miscellaneous agricultural workers · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 27.0% | 47.1% |
| White | 88.4% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 3.0% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 52.3% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.3% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 18.3% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Miscellaneous agricultural workers”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.4
- Enterprising2.4
- Investigative2.3
- Social1.9
- Artistic1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
O*NET related occupations
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Farmworker, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animal
$36,670median a year
Most earn $27K to $54K
−3.2%No formal credential - Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products
$35,730median a year
Most earn $30K to $44K
−3.4%No formal credential - Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker
$39,150median a year
Most earn $31K to $57K
+4.7%No formal credential - Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Pesticide Handler, Sprayer, and Applicator, Vegetation
$46,340median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
+3.9%High school - Production
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$51,610median a year
Most earn $36K to $80K
−5.7%High school
More farming, fishing, and forestry careers
Median annual pay, with farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse highlighted
- First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$59,320
- Cannabis Cultivation Director$59,320
- Faller$52,100
- Animal Breeder$51,130
- Agricultural Inspector$49,940
- Logging Equipment Operator$49,740
- Log Grader and Scaler$46,330
- Agricultural Equipment Operator$41,730
- Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$35,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,320 |
| Cannabis Cultivation Director | $59,320 |
| Faller | $52,100 |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 |
| Log Grader and Scaler | $46,330 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 |
| Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse appears on
Questions
Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse: frequently asked questions
How much do farmworkers and laborers make?
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earn a median of $35,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $17.15/hr. The middle half earn between $34,320 and $38,840. The top 10% earn $45,690 or more.
How much do farmworkers and laborers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is $17.15 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $35,660 annual median works out to about $2,970 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earn less than $32,900 a year and the bottom quarter less than $34,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay farmworkers and laborers the most?
The highest state medians for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse are Wyoming ($55,180), South Dakota ($42,260), Montana ($41,390) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earns the most?
BLS does not split farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $45,690, against a median of $35,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Wyoming ($55,180), South Dakota ($42,260), Montana ($41,390).
Do you need a degree to become a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 39.0% hold less than a high school diploma.
How long does it take to become a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for farmworkers and laborers is no formal educational credential. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 2.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 13,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 72,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse do?
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock. A core O*NET task: operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Do farmworkers and laborers work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 56% of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse usually work more than 40 hours a week, 31% work exactly 40 and 13% work fewer. 39% say their schedule is regular and 29% irregular, and 32% work seasonally. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
O*NET scores Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of farmworkers and laborers are women?
Women make up 27.0% of farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole. 21.3% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 40.6 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Miscellaneous agricultural workers".