Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
SOC Code: 45-2092Also known as:
Agriculture Laborer, Agriculture Worker, Apple Picker, Apple Thinner, Apple Turner
Median Annual Salary
$35,690
-3.3% growth (2024-2034)
72K
Openings/Year
505K
Current Jobs
What Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse Do
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, 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; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
💰 Salary
$35,690
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-3.3%
Decline
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
72K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
504,800
Projected Employment (2034)
488,100
Related Careers
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
$38,090 •
+3.6% growth
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation
$45,200 •
+3.8% growth
Graders and sorters, agricultural products
$35,430 •
-5.4% growth
Agricultural equipment operators
$42,580 •
+7.7% growth
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
$36,150 •
-5.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Speaking
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
- Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
- Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
- Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
- Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
- Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
- Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
- Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
- Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Less than High School
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse make?
The median annual salary for farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is $35,690.
What education do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse need?
Most farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse positions require a no formal educational credential.
Is becoming a farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse a good career choice?
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is projected to see -3.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 71,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse may also be known as: Agriculture Laborer, Agriculture Worker, Apple Picker, Apple Thinner, Apple Turner, Asparagus Cutter, Bale Sewer, Baller, Bean Picker, Beet Topper, Beet Worker, Berry and Nut Harvester, Berry Picker, Berry Planter, Bog Worker, Brush Cutter, Budder, Bulb Farmworker, Bulb Grower, Bulb Packer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.