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
$35,660
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
$32,900
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,320
25th percentile
Median
$35,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,840
75th percentile
Top Earners
$45,690
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,900
25th
$34,320
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,660
Mean: $37,630
75th
$38,840
90th
$45,690
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $12,790 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,320 and $38,840
- •Salary spread is 12.7% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 265,500 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 Hunting73.9%
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry73.9%
Support Activities for Crop Production73.7%
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
172,260 jobs$35,5805.54x
Washington
13,490 jobs$39,1702.22x
Florida
9,180 jobs$30,6400.54x
Arizona
7,110 jobs$35,0801.29x
Oregon
6,780 jobs$34,0702.02x
Michigan
5,410 jobs$38,6800.72x
Texas
4,290 jobs$32,8400.18x
Pennsylvania
2,940 jobs$37,0100.28x
Illinois
2,850 jobs$41,0500.27x
New York
2,760 jobs$40,9300.17x
Missouri
2,600 jobs$36,2800.52x
North Carolina
2,510 jobs$33,8700.30x
Colorado
2,450 jobs$38,1700.50x
New Jersey
2,430 jobs$37,7100.33x
Idaho
2,420 jobs$34,4701.65x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Trunk Strength
100%
#3
Arm-Hand Steadiness
92%
#4
Control Precision
82%
#5
Extent Flexibility
74%
#6
Manual Dexterity
66%
#7
Multilimb Coordination
58%
#8
Static Strength
48%
#9
Speaking
40%
#10
Finger Dexterity
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Trunk Strength
advanced5.0
100%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced4.6
92%
Control Precision
intermediate4.1
82%
Extent Flexibility
intermediate3.7
74%
Manual Dexterity
intermediate3.3
66%
Multilimb Coordination
basic2.9
58%
Static Strength
basic2.4
48%
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
Trunk Strength
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Extent Flexibility
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Static Strength
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Finger Dexterity
basicImportance40%
abilities
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Manual Dexterity
- →Multilimb Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Trunk Strength
- ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ✓Control Precision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Trunk Strength
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ★Control Precision
- ★Extent Flexibility
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
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