Farming, Fishing, and Forestry

Agricultural Workers, All Other

Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock.

10/100
#692 of 825
$39,850
median pay, U.S.
3,620
employed (2024)
+2.3%
growth, 2024–34
1,500
openings per year
No formal educational credential
typical entry education

Is agricultural workers, all other a good career?

It scores 10/100 and ranks #692 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.

Advantages

  • No college degree typically required to enter

Possible tradeoffs

  • Pays below the U.S. median wage ($39,850 vs $61,390)
  • Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.3%)

What agricultural workers, all other earn

Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025

Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. agricultural workers, all other earn between $33,140 and $53,290 a year.

Best-paying states

California statewide
$53,090
Hawaii statewide
$46,650
Washington statewide
$43,930
North Carolina statewide
$43,790
Ohio statewide
$43,540
Arizona statewide
$43,350
Montana statewide
$42,130
Iowa statewide
$40,130
Kentucky statewide
$39,970
Texas statewide
$39,570
$20k $60k $100k

Best-paying metros

01 Sacramento, CA $67,900
02 Stockton, CA $62,510
03 Riverside, CA $59,670
04 Los Angeles, CA $56,840
05 San Francisco, CA $50,670
06 Fresno, CA $49,680
07 Baton Rouge, LA $47,790
08 Phoenix, AZ $46,790

Strongest employment concentration

01 California 960
02 Texas 310
03 Tennessee 240
04 Arkansas 220
05 Maryland 180
06 West Virginia 150

Live agricultural workers, all other jobs

No live agricultural workers, all other openings yet

When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified agricultural workers, all other openings will appear here — each shown against the $39,850 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.

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How to become an agricultural workers, all other

Typical education
No formal educational credential
Work experience
None
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Outlook
Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.

Education

Agricultural workers typically need no formal educational credential. However, animal breeders typically need a high school diploma, and some jobs require postsecondary education.

Training

Many agricultural workers receive short-term on-the-job training of up to 1 month. Employers instruct them on how to use simple farming tools and complex machinery while following safety procedures. Agricultural equipment operators may need more extensive training before being allowed to operate expensive farming equipment.

Licenses, certifications & registrations

Some agricultural workers, especially those who operate equipment, need a valid driver’s license. Agricultural workers who handle pesticides might need a pesticide applicator license. And in a few states, certain types of animal breeders must be licensed. Check with your state licensing boards

Advancement

Agricultural workers may advance to crew leader or other supervisory positions. The ability to speak both English and Spanish is helpful for agricultural supervisors.

Some agricultural workers aspire to become farmers, ranchers, or agricultural managers or to own their own farms and ranches. Knowledge of produce and livestock may provide an excellent background for becoming buyers or purchasing agents of farm products. Those who earn a college degree in agricultural science could become agricultural or food scientists.

Important qualities

Dexterity. Agricultural workers need excellent hand-eye coordination to harvest crops and operate farm machinery.

Listening skills. Agricultural workers must listen carefully to ensure that they understand instructions from farmers and other agricultural managers and supervisors.

Mechanical skills. Agricultural workers must be able to operate complex farm machinery. They also occasionally do routine maintenance on the equipment.

Physical stamina. Agricultural workers must have physical endurance because they do laborious tasks repeatedly.

Physical strength. Agricultural workers must be strong enough to lift heavy objects, including tools and crops.

Related occupations

No formal educational credential · $35,660 median
No formal educational credential · $36,670 median
No formal educational credential · $41,730 median
Questions about becoming a agricultural workers, all other
How much do agricultural workers, all other make?

The national median wage is $39,850 a year, with the middle half earning between $33,140 and $53,290 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Is agricultural workers, all other a good career?

On the Jobs.best index it scores 10 of 100 and ranks #692 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.3% through 2034.

What education do you need to become a agricultural workers, all other?

The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.

Where do agricultural workers, all other earn the most?

Among states, California pays the highest median ($53,090). Local pay for every state and metro is below.

U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsWages: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Projections: BLS EP 2024–34
Sources: OEWS-M2025 · EP-2024-34 · OOH-2024-34. How we score careers →