Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock.
Is farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse a good career?
It scores 11/100 and ranks #664 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 71,700 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($35,660 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-3.3% through 2034)
What farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earn between $34,320 and $38,840 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse jobs
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- 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
How much do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse make?
The national median wage is $35,660 a year, with the middle half earning between $34,320 and $38,840 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 11 of 100 and ranks #664 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -3.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earn the most?
Among states, Wyoming pays the highest median ($55,180). Local pay for every state and metro is below.