Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career

Farm Labor Contractor

Also called: Labor Contractor · Crew Contractor · Harvest Contractor · H-2A Contractor

What farm labor contractors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a farm labor contractor do?

Farm labor contractors recruit and hire seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers, and may transport, house and provide meals for workers. The median pay is $58,460 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of farm work experience, and employment is projected to grow +7.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $58,460
    $28.11/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +7.4%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    100
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Years of farm work experience
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    1,900
    Employment, 2025

What farm labor contractors do

Farm labor contractors supply harvest crews. They recruit workers, arrange transportation and housing, schedule crews for growers, handle payroll and follow labor, safety and H-2A visa rules.

No formal education is required, but experience is. Contractors need federal and often state registration. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

  • Recruit workers
  • Schedule crews
  • Arrange transportation
  • Arrange housing
  • Handle payroll
  • Follow labor laws
  • Work with growers

Work environment and schedule

Contractors work in fields, offices and vehicles.

Schedule: Long seasonal days, very early starts.

A day in the life

  1. Confirm crew counts.
  2. Dispatch buses.
  3. Meet the grower at the field.
  4. Check crew safety.

See a full day in the life of a farm labor contractor →

Farm Labor Contractor salary

Half of farm labor contractors earned more than $58,460 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,930 for the lowest 10% to $84,050 for the top 10%.

Full farm labor contractor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a farm labor contractor

  1. Work on farm crews
  2. Become a crew leader
  3. Learn labor laws
  4. Register with DOL
  5. Start contracting

No formal educational credential is required; experience managing farm work is key.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a farm labor contractor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Labor law
  • Payroll
  • Crew scheduling
  • H-2A rules
  • Field safety

People skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Integrity
  • Problem-solving

All farm labor contractor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Run your own business
  • Essential farm role
  • Bilingual advantage

Cons

  • Seasonal swings
  • Heavy regulation
  • Long days
  • Liability

Certifications and licenses

  • DOL farm labor contractor registration: Federal requirement.
  • State FLC license: Required in some states.
  • H-2A program training: Visa workers.
  • Heat illness training: Required in some states.

Career path

  1. Farmworker: Entry.
  2. Crew Leader: Lead.
  3. Farm Labor Contractor: Run crews.
  4. Labor Services Company Owner: Grow.

Learn the job before day one

Our Farm Labor Contractor training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prevent heat illness on a harvest crew and keep payroll records compliant, safety and how to land your first job.

View Farm Labor Contractor trainingIs this career right for me?

Ranch Hand

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Farmworker

Plant, tend and harvest crops in fields, orchards, nurseries and greenhouses.

  • $35,660
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Farm Manager

Run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.

  • $89,900
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Compare: Farm Labor Contractor vs. Ranch Hand · Farm Labor Contractor vs. Farmworker · Farm Labor Contractor vs. Farm Manager · Farm Labor Contractor vs. HR Specialist

Farm Labor Contractor FAQ

Do farm labor contractors need registration?

Yes, with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Is the job growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

What is H-2A?

A visa program for temporary farmworkers.

How much does a farm labor contractor make?

The median annual wage for farm labor contractors was $58,460 ($28.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,930 and the highest 10% earned more than $84,050.

How long does it take to become a farm labor contractor?

Most people need about Years of farm work experience of training. No formal educational credential is required; experience managing farm work is key.

Do you need a degree to be a farm labor contractor?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More farm labor contractor questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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