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.
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
SOC: 45-2092 O*NET: 45-2092.00
Median Salary
$35,690
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
71.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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.
What does a Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,260
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,280
25th percentile
Median
$35,690
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,950
75th percentile
Top Earners
$46,370
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,260
25th
$34,280
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,690
Mean: $37,850
75th
$38,950
90th
$46,370
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $14,110 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,280 and $38,950
- •Salary spread is 13.1% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 261,690 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:504,800
Top Industries
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting74.6%
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry74.6%
Support Activities for Crop Production74.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.3%
Annual Openings:71,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)504,800
Current
2034 (Projected)488,100
-3.3%
-16,800
Employment Change
-3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
175,340 jobs$35,7705.72x
Florida
9,640 jobs$29,7800.58x
Washington
7,280 jobs$37,0901.21x
Oregon
6,980 jobs$35,0502.09x
Arizona
5,720 jobs$34,1801.05x
Texas
4,470 jobs$31,7900.19x
Michigan
3,680 jobs$36,4400.49x
Pennsylvania
3,660 jobs$36,9400.36x
New Jersey
3,460 jobs$37,5800.48x
North Carolina
2,980 jobs$33,6900.36x
Colorado
2,730 jobs$38,8700.56x
New York
2,570 jobs$39,3700.16x
Illinois
2,410 jobs$40,4000.23x
Ohio
2,290 jobs$33,2000.24x
Idaho
2,070 jobs$33,0501.44x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Construction Laborers40%
2 shared skills
Motion Picture Projectionists40%
2 shared skills
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders33%
1 shared skills
Crossing Guards and Flaggers33%
1 shared skills
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers33%
2 shared skills
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators33%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (9)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)General Responsibilities (5)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.05
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.04
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.81
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.79
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.63
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.52
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.0
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Initiative
3.5
Persistence
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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