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.
Common Job Titles
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onPerform manual planting, cultivating, and harvesting operations in field, nursery, and greenhouse settings using hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, and pruning shears.Developing
- Hands-onOperate agricultural equipment and mechanized devices including tractors, crop planters, and irrigation systems under general supervision.Developing
- Hands-onExecute pesticide and fertilizer application procedures using sprayers and spreaders while following safety protocols and regulatory requirements.Developing
- KnowledgeIdentify crop health issues, pest infestations, and growth stages through visual inspection in field and greenhouse environments.Developing
- Hands-onPerform pruning, weeding, thinning, and transplanting activities using specialized hand tools to maintain optimal plant health and yield.Developing
- KnowledgeApply knowledge of plant biology and food production principles to determine appropriate timing and methods for cultivation tasks.Developing
- Hands-onManipulate irrigation systems and watering equipment to maintain optimal soil moisture levels for various crop types.Developing
- Hands-onExecute grading, sorting, packing, and loading of harvested products following quality control standards and working efficiently under time constraints.Developing
- Hands-onPerform basic repairs and maintenance on farm equipment and structures including trellises, fences, and farm buildings using hand and power tools.Developing
- MindsetEngage in team-based agricultural work collaborating with supervisors and co-workers to meet production goals and maintain work quality.Developing
Annual wage data for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
261,690
Wage Distribution by Percentile
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $32,260 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $46,370 |
| Workers on average earn | $37,850 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Food Production2.8/5
- Biology2.8/5
- Mechanical2.7/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
- Chemistry2.6/5
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings