### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Agricultural Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			agricultural workers imageAgricultural workers maintain crops and tend to livestock.							
						Quick Facts:     Agricultural Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$34,790     per year
										$16.73     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    804,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -2% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -16,000What Agricultural Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Agricultural workers usually do their tasks outdoors in all kinds of weather. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become an Agricultural Worker
                                                
                        
Most agricultural workers do not need a formal educational credential to enter these occupations; however, animal breeders typically need a high school diploma. Agricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for agricultural workers was $34,790 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of agricultural workers is projected to decline							 2 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 115,700 openings for agricultural workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about agricultural workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Agricultural Workers Do 
            

			Agricultural workersAgricultural workers operate farm machinery.			
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock. They perform physical labor and operate machinery under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.
Duties
Agricultural workers typically do the following:
Plant, inspect, and harvest crops
Irrigate farm soil and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps
Operate and service farm machinery and tools
Apply fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungi, and weeds
Move plants, shrubs, and trees with wheelbarrows or tractors
Feed livestock and clean and disinfect their cages, pens, and yards
Examine animals to detect symptoms of illnesses or injuries and administer vaccines to protect animals from diseases
Use brands, tags, or tattoos to mark livestock ownership and grade
Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosuresThe following are examples of types of agricultural workers:
***Agricultural equipment operators*** use a variety of farm equipment to plow and sow seeds, as well as to maintain and harvest crops. They may use machines such as tractors, balers, conveyor belts, fertilizer spreaders, and threshers. Workers also may adjust and make minor repairs to the machines and equipment.
***Animal breeders*** select animals that will mate and produce offspring with desired traits and characteristics. For example, they breed chickens that lay more eggs, pigs that produce leaner meat, and sheep with more desirable wool. Others breed and raise cats, dogs, and other household pets.
To know which animals to breed and when to breed them, animal breeders keep detailed records. Breeders note an animal’s health, size, and weight, as well as the amount and quality of its product or byproduct. Animal breeders also track the traits of animals’ offspring.
Some animal breeders consult with farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers about their livestock.
***Crop, nursery, and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers*** perform numerous tasks related to growing and harvesting grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other crops. They plant, seed, prune, irrigate, and harvest crops, and pack and load them for shipment.
Farmworkers also apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to crops. They repair fences and some farm equipment.
Nursery and greenhouse workers prepare land or greenhouse beds for growing horticultural products, such as trees, plants, flowers, and sod. They also plant, water, prune, weed, and spray the plants. They may cut, roll, and stack sod; stake trees; tie, wrap, and pack plants to fill orders; and dig up or move field-grown shrubs and trees.
***Farm and ranch animal farmworkers*** care for live animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, poultry, finfish, shellfish, and bees. These animals usually are raised to supply meat, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, or honey.
Farmworkers may feed, herd, brand, weigh, and load animals. They also keep records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides.
Many workers clean and maintain animal housing areas every day. On dairy farms, animal farmworkers operate milking machines.
 Work Environment
			Agricultural workersMany agricultural workers have seasonal work schedules.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Agricultural workers held about 804,600 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up agricultural workers was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
                523,500Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
                199,400Agricultural equipment operators
                64,000Agricultural workers, all other
                11,200Animal breeders
                6,500The largest employers of agricultural workers were as follows:
        Crop production
                54%Animal production and aquaculture
                24Wholesale trade
                5Support activities for agriculture and forestry
                3Agricultural workers usually do their tasks outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Agricultural workers’ jobs may be difficult. To harvest fruits and vegetables by hand, workers frequently bend and crouch. They also lift and carry crops and tools that may be heavy.
Injuries and Illnesses
Agricultural work may be dangerous. Although agricultural workers may be exposed to pesticides applied on crops or plants, the risk is minimized if workers follow safety procedures. Tractors and other farm machinery may cause serious injuries, so workers must stay alert. Additionally, agricultural workers who deal directly with animals risk being bitten, kicked, or stung.
Work Schedules
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.
Some agricultural workers, called *migrant farmworkers*, move from location to location as crops ripen. Their unsettled lifestyles and periods of unemployment between jobs may cause stress.
 How to Become an Agricultural Worker

			Agricultural workersAgricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training once they are hired.			
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.
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, and 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 for more information.
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.
Other Experience
Animal breeders sometimes need work experience interacting with livestock. Ranch workers may transition into animal breeding after they become more familiar with animals and learn how to handle them.
Some agricultural equipment operators might need work experience on a farm or operating heavy equipment.
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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Agricultural WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations$35,520  Agricultural workers$34,790Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for agricultural workers was $34,790 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,820.

			
                    	Median annual wages for agricultural workers in May 2023 were as follows:
        Animal breeders
		$47,540Agricultural workers, all other
		40,620Agricultural equipment operators
		39,690Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
		35,120Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
		34,470In May 2023, the median annual wages for agricultural workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Wholesale trade
                $36,510Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because living plants and animals need constant care, workers’ schedules may vary to include early mornings, weekends, and holidays.
Many agricultural workers have seasonal work schedules. Seasonal schedules typically include longer periods of work during planting or harvesting or when animals must be sheltered and fed.
Some agricultural workers, called *migrant farmworkers*, move from location to location as crops ripen. Their unsettled lifestyles and periods of unemployment between jobs can cause stress.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Agricultural WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Agricultural workers-2%  Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations-2%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of agricultural workers is projected to decline				 2 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 115,700 openings for agricultural workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
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.
Employment of agricultural equipment operators is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations and faster than any other type of agricultural worker over the projections decade. Increased use of mechanization on farms is expected to lead to more jobs for agricultural equipment operators relative to farmworkers and laborers.
Small farms that sell their products directly to consumers through venues such as farmers’ markets might create opportunities for some agricultural workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     agricultural workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Agricultural workers**
			—
			804,600
			788,700
			-2
			-16,000
			—**Animal breeders**
			45-2021
			6,500
			6,600
			2
			100
			Get data**Agricultural equipment operators**
			45-2091
			64,000
			69,500
			9
			5,500
			Get data**Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse**
			45-2092
			523,500
			512,200
			-2
			-11,300
			Get data**Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals**
			45-2093
			199,400
			188,900
			-5
			-10,500
			Get data**Agricultural workers, all other**
			45-2099
			11,200
			11,400
			2
			200
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Agricultural equipment operators
					Agricultural workers, all other
					Animal breeders
					Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
					Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of agricultural workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural and Food Science Technicians**
            Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists.
            Associate's degree
            $47,010**Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers**
            Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $83,770**Forest and Conservation Workers**
            Forest and conservation workers perform physical labor to improve the quality of natural areas such as forests, rangelands, and wetlands.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $33,940**Grounds Maintenance Workers**
            Grounds maintenance workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.
            See How to Become One
            $37,690**Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers**
            Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and others with their daily tasks.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $36,440**Animal Care and Service Workers**
            Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $31,830
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about agricultural workers, visit
Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
For more information about careers in agriculture, visit
AgExplorer, National FFA Organization
New Farmers, U.S. Department of Agriculture
CareerOneStop
For career videos on agricultural workers, visit
Agricultural equipment operators
Animal breeders
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Agricultural Equipment OperatorsAgricultural Workers, All OtherAnimal BreedersFarmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and GreenhouseFarmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Agricultural Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/agricultural-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, May 15, 2024


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