How much does a farmworker make?
The median farmworker in the United States earns $36,670 per year, about $17.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all farmworkers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-2093.
Farmworker salary range
Pay for farmworkers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $54,080. The average (mean) wage of $39,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,360 | $13.15 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,020 | $14.91 | |
| Median (50th) | $36,670 | $17.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 | |
| 90th percentile | $54,080 | $26.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals (SOC 45-2093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Farmworker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Farmworkers earn the most in Alaska at $50,450 a year, and the least in Georgia at $28,410. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $50,450 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $47,050 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | 580 |
| Washington | $45,370 | 1,100 |
| Maine | $42,170 | 140 |
| Maryland | $41,760 | 310 |
| Vermont | $40,730 | 80 |
| Idaho | $40,580 | 480 |
| North Dakota | $40,320 | 130 |
| Colorado | $39,740 | 1,270 |
| New Hampshire | $39,520 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $38,960 | 250 |
| Wyoming | $38,920 | 470 |
| North Carolina | $38,750 | 910 |
| Virginia | $38,670 | 630 |
| California | $38,640 | 3,600 |
| Massachusetts | $38,280 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $38,030 | 700 |
| South Dakota | $38,000 | 100 |
| Indiana | $37,530 | 420 |
| Mississippi | $37,430 | 290 |
| Nebraska | $37,220 | 570 |
| Kansas | $37,060 | 1,340 |
| Montana | $37,010 | 660 |
| Delaware | $36,940 | 90 |
| Florida | $36,790 | 820 |
| Alabama | $36,620 | 1,300 |
| Iowa | $36,480 | 1,240 |
| New Mexico | $36,400 | 330 |
| Oregon | $35,480 | 700 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,360 | 1,330 |
| Arizona | $35,160 | 650 |
| Connecticut | $35,140 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $35,090 | 190 |
| New York | $34,860 | 530 |
| Texas | $33,920 | 3,750 |
| Illinois | $33,840 | 450 |
| Tennessee | $33,720 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $33,670 | 420 |
| Utah | $32,970 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $32,970 | 930 |
| Missouri | $32,950 | 1,310 |
| Michigan | $32,660 | 750 |
| Louisiana | $31,940 | 80 |
| Nevada | $31,700 | 210 |
| Ohio | $31,200 | 1,160 |
| Arkansas | $29,340 | 460 |
| Georgia | $28,410 | 690 |
State median wages for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals (SOC 45-2093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for farmworkers
The BLS projects employment of farmworkers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 202,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 195,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 26,600 openings a year for farmworkers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a farmworker
The typical entry-level education for farmworkers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a farmworker earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $50,450) and the lowest (Georgia, $28,410) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 32,810 people work as farmworkers in the United States. At $36,670 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Farmworker salary FAQ
How much does a farmworker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a farmworker is $17.63. The middle half of farmworkers earn between $14.91 and $21.97 per hour.
What is the highest farmworker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of farmworkers earn more than $54,080 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a farmworker make a year?
The median annual salary for a farmworker is $36,670. The average (mean) wage of $39,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a farmworker a well paid job?
At $36,670 a year, a farmworker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 32,810 people work as farmworkers in the United States.
Which state pays farmworkers the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for farmworkers at $50,450 a year. West Virginia ($48,460) and Hawaii ($47,050) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a farmworker a good career?
Employment of farmworkers is projected to shrink 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 26,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a farmworker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for farmworkers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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