Occupation · SOC 45-2092
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
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.
Median wage
$35,690
$32,260–$46,370
Projected growth
-3.3%
Declining
Annual openings
-1,680
per year
Employed (US)
261,690
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingOperations MonitoringActive ListeningWritingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessRepairingReading ComprehensionOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceActive LearningSystems AnalysisPersuasionLearning StrategiesCoordinationSystems EvaluationService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment SelectionComplex Problem SolvingInstructingNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallationTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisScience
Knowledge areas
Food ProductionBiologyMechanicalAdministration and ManagementChemistryMathematicsEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesDesignLaw and GovernmentPsychologyGeographySales and MarketingBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingFine Arts
Technology & tools
BCL Landview Systems WinCropFarm Works Software TracGlobal positioning system GPS softwareIBM Lotus NotesMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Performing General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesControlling Machines and ProcessesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAnalyzing Data or InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProcessing InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDocumenting/Recording InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesSelling or Influencing OthersWorking with ComputersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools (hoes, knives, shears, pruners) — use safely on routine field or greenhouse tasks under a lead's direction.Personal protective equipment (gloves, sleeves, eyewear) — apply consistently for each task.Heat-illness signs and water-shade-rest practice — recognize and follow per OSHA and state rules.Worker Protection Standard re-entry intervals — follow without exception on treated fields.Standard harvest pace — meet on assigned crops after onboarding.Crew safety (ladders, knives, machinery proximity) — apply consistently on the line.Daily timecards and piece-count tallies — record accurately per the lead's verification.Field-sanitation facilities — use and request resupply when needed.Vehicle and bus safety — follow on transport to and from fields.Crew communications (Spanish, English, Indigenous languages) — engage clearly with the lead.
developing
Skilled hand-harvest tasks (selective picking, grading at pick, packing) — perform reliably across the harvest window.Pruning, training, thinning, and bunching — execute correctly on the crop variety in season.Greenhouse rotations (seeding, transplanting, spacing) — perform at production pace.Pesticide-handler certification basics — apply correctly under a licensed applicator's plan.Equipment-assist tasks (harvest aids, trays, conveyors) — operate safely with the crew.Lead-worker roles on small crews — direct on familiar tasks with the supervisor's backing.Crew safety leadership at start-of-shift — deliver in workers' primary languages.Hand-tool maintenance and sharpening — perform during routine downtime.Field-quality calls (pick / no pick) — make consistently with the operation's standards.Junior workers and new hires — train on technique, pace, and safety.
proficient
Field-crew leadership across the season — schedule, train, and supervise on quality and pace.Harvest forecasts and pace planning — execute with the supervisor on yield and labor.Pesticide-handler/applicator certification — hold and apply per state-licensing rules.WPS, H-2A, and state-labor compliance basics — own with HR partners at crew level.Continuous-improvement on yield, quality, and labor cost — lead with measurable outcomes.Cross-crop and cross-season work — adapt with rapid retraining and clear handoffs.Equipment use (small tractors, harvest aids) — operate safely with documented training.Junior crew leads — mentor on supervision, recordkeeping, and crew dynamics.Documentation (worksheets, lot tracking, traceability) — own end-to-end on the crew.Communications with packing-shed and trucking — coordinate to keep flow tight.
advanced
Field-operations leadership across multiple crews and crops — set direction across season and labor force.Labor relations (H-2A, domestic, contract) — own with HR, legal, and agency partners.Major-customer audits (retailer, processor) — lead with documentation and corrective actions.Workforce development and apprenticeship programs — build with community partners.Safety culture and injury-reduction programs — lead with measurable outcomes.Industry forums and advocacy — represent the operation at growers' boards and councils.Capital decisions (harvest aids, labor-saving equipment) — author with the owner.Cross-site standardization (training, safety, recordkeeping) — institutionalize across crews.Crisis response (heat events, disease incursions, evacuations) — command at field level.Legacy mentorship of crew leads and supervisors — institutionalize through training programs.
Also known as
245 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agriculture LaborerAgriculture WorkerApple PickerApple ThinnerApple TurnerAsparagus CutterBale SewerBallerBean PickerBeet TopperBeet WorkerBerry and Nut HarvesterBerry PickerBerry PlanterBog WorkerBrush CutterBudderBulb FarmworkerBulb GrowerBulb PackerBulb PlanterBulb WeederCane BurnerCane CutterCane Flume WatcherCane Flume WatchmanCane LoaderCane PackerCane PusherCane StripperCarrot BuncherCarrot HarvesterCarrot TierCelery CutterCelery PackerCelery StripperCelery TierCelery WrapperCitrus Fruit PackerCitrus Picker