How much does a farm worker make?
Answer: A typical farm worker in the United States makes $39,850 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 4,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Farm worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,760 | $39,850 | $76,940 | about 4,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $53,090 | about 960 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skill, the kind of farm work, employer, and location. Seasonal schedules and hours matter too, while equipment or pesticide licenses can qualify workers for certain tasks.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a farm worker do?
All agricultural workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
“All Other” covers farm jobs not listed separately, so duties vary: a worker may water fields, plant or harvest crops, or repair fences. They might also move plants by tractor or load crops for shipment.
How to get this job
Most U.S. farm-worker jobs do not require a school credential; workers usually learn tools and safety on the job, often in brief training. Equipment operators may need a driver’s license, and pesticide handlers may need a pesticide-applicator license.
Did you know?
Farm work can include moving shrubs and trees with a wheelbarrow or tractor—not just planting or picking crops.
Earn more in the same field
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/print/agricultural-workers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/45-2099.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes452099.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY