What is a Crop Farmworker or Laborer?
Occupation Description Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; cleaning, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
A Day in the Life of a Crop Farmworker or Laborer
- Dig and plant seeds, or transplant seedlings by hand.
- Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
- Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
- Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
- Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
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Crop Farmworker or Laborer Skills
When polled, Crop Farmworkers and Laborers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Ditch Rider
- Olive Picker
- Shallot Packer
- Grubber
- Detasseler
What Kind of Crop Farmworker or Laborer Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 503,700 jobs for Crop Farmworker or Laborer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 1.1% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,500 new jobs for Crop Farmworker or Laborer by 2026. There will be an estimated 76,800 positions for Crop Farmworker or Laborer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Crop Farmworker or Laborer are Alaska, Nevada, and Vermont. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, Florida, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Crop Farmworkers and Laborers Salary
The typical yearly salary for Crop Farmworkers and Laborers is somewhere between $21,900 and $35,200.

Crop Farmworkers and Laborers who work in District of Columbia, Wyoming, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Crop Farmworkers and Laborers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $22,820 |
Alaska | $26,030 |
Arizona | $25,120 |
Arkansas | $22,020 |
California | $26,240 |
Colorado | $31,870 |
Connecticut | $29,760 |
Delaware | $28,390 |
District of Columbia | $38,760 |
Florida | $24,520 |
Georgia | $23,410 |
Hawaii | $32,740 |
Idaho | $24,340 |
Illinois | $30,020 |
Indiana | $24,820 |
Iowa | $30,630 |
Kansas | $28,450 |
Kentucky | $27,180 |
Louisiana | $26,060 |
Maine | $29,520 |
Maryland | $31,900 |
Massachusetts | $34,500 |
Michigan | $25,130 |
Minnesota | $31,510 |
Mississippi | $25,040 |
Missouri | $29,010 |
Montana | $24,850 |
Nebraska | $31,430 |
Nevada | $24,720 |
New Hampshire | $28,640 |
New Jersey | $27,810 |
New Mexico | $21,360 |
New York | $32,720 |
North Carolina | $24,770 |
North Dakota | $30,830 |
Ohio | $25,730 |
Oklahoma | $29,930 |
Oregon | $26,440 |
Pennsylvania | $29,270 |
South Carolina | $27,700 |
South Dakota | $28,560 |
Tennessee | $22,700 |
Texas | $22,120 |
Utah | $26,870 |
Vermont | $31,680 |
Virginia | $27,910 |
Washington | $29,430 |
West Virginia | $25,430 |
Wisconsin | $26,870 |
Wyoming | $35,260 |
What Tools & Technology do Crop Farmworkers and Laborers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Crop Farmworkers and Laborers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- BCL Landview Systems WinCrop
- Farm Works Software Trac
How do I Become a Crop Farmworker or Laborer?
What kind of Crop Farmworker or Laborer requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Crop Farmworkers and Laborers?

Below are examples of industries where Crop Farmworkers and Laborers work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Crop Farmworker or Laborer may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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