Ranch Hand
Care for cattle, horses and livestock on ranches and farms.
- $36,670
- Weeks to months
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Farmworker
Also called: Farm Laborer · Crop Worker · Nursery Worker · Greenhouse Worker
What farmworkers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a farmworker do?
Farmworkers and laborers in crops, nurseries and greenhouses plant, cultivate, irrigate and harvest crops and plants, and pack products for market. The median pay is $35,660 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Days to weeks, and employment is projected to grow -2.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$35,660$17.15/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-2.4%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year72,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainDays to weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs546,800Employment, 2025
What farmworkers do
Farmworkers grow the food and plants people rely on. They plant seeds and seedlings, weed, prune, irrigate, harvest fruits and vegetables, pot and care for nursery plants, and sort and pack products. Work happens in fields, orchards, vineyards, greenhouses and nurseries.
No formal education is required, and training happens on the job. Work is often seasonal and physically demanding. Experienced workers can become crew leaders, equipment operators or farm managers.
Typical duties
- Plant seeds and transplants
- Weed and cultivate crops
- Irrigate fields and greenhouses
- Prune and train plants
- Harvest crops
- Sort and pack produce
- Maintain tools and equipment
Work environment and schedule
Farmworkers work outdoors in fields and orchards, or in greenhouses and nurseries, often in heat.
Schedule: Work is seasonal, with long days at planting and harvest, and early starts to avoid heat.
A day in the life
- Meet the crew and get assignments.
- Harvest strawberries before the heat.
- Take a water and shade break.
- Pack berries into flats.
See a full day in the life of a farmworker →
Farmworker salary
Half of farmworkers earned more than $35,660 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,900 for the lowest 10% to $45,690 for the top 10%.
Full farmworker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a farmworker
- Get hired
- Learn tasks
- Build speed and skill
- Learn equipment
- Advance
No formal education is required. Workers learn on the job.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a farmworker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Planting and harvesting
- Pruning
- Irrigation
- Plant care
- Packing
People skills
- Stamina
- Reliability
- Teamwork
- Speed
All farmworker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No experience needed
- Work outdoors
- Seasonal flexibility
- Path to crew leader and equipment roles
Cons
- Physically demanding
- Heat and weather exposure
- Seasonal work
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- Worker Protection Standard training: EPA pesticide safety training for agricultural workers.
- Heat illness prevention training: Safety training.
- Forklift training: For packing sheds.
- Food safety training: Produce safety practices.
Career path
- Farmworker: Plant and harvest.
- Experienced Worker: Specialize in crops.
- Crew Leader: Lead crews.
- Farm Supervisor or Manager: Manage operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Farmworker training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as harvest produce safely and gently and prevent heat illness, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Landscaper
Plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.
- $39,150
- 1–4 weeks
Agricultural Equipment Operator
Drive tractors, combines and sprayers to plant and harvest crops.
- $41,730
- 1–6 months
Farm Manager
Run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.
- $89,900
- 5+ years of farm experience
Compare: Farmworker vs. Ranch Hand · Farmworker vs. Landscaper · Farmworker vs. Farm Equipment Operator · Farmworker vs. Farm Manager
Farmworker FAQ
Do farmworkers need experience?
No; training is on the job.
Is farm work seasonal?
Often, depending on crops.
What protections do farmworkers have?
Rules such as the EPA Worker Protection Standard and heat safety rules in some states.
How much does a farmworker make?
The median annual wage for farmworkers was $35,660 ($17.15 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,900 and the highest 10% earned more than $45,690.
How long does it take to become a farmworker?
Most people need about Days to weeks of training. No formal education is required. Workers learn on the job.
Do you need a degree to be a farmworker?
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.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 45-2092 (Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.