What is an Agricultural Workers and Laborer?
Agricultural Workers and Laborers perform physical tasks related to planting, harvesting, and maintaining crops, as well as raising and caring for livestock or poultry, playing a foundational role in food production across the United States.
Typical Education
Most agricultural workers and laborers typically receive short-term on-the-job training and generally do not need a formal educational credential for entry-level positions.
Salary Range in the United States
The typical median annual salary for Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse is $34,470.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023.
Day in the Life
How to Become an Agricultural Worker and Laborer
Becoming an agricultural worker typically involves direct entry into the job market, followed by short-term training provided by the employer. Focus on developing physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a strong work ethic. Look for seasonal or full-time opportunities with local farms, ranches, or greenhouses. For specialization, such as operating complex farm machinery or breeding animals, a high school diploma or vocational training may be beneficial, and a valid driver's license is often required.
Essential Skills
- Physical Stamina and Strength: The capacity to perform repetitive and strenuous physical labor, often for long hours in various weather conditions.
- Mechanical Aptitude: Basic ability to operate, maintain, and make minor repairs to farming equipment and tools.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in following instructions for planting, irrigation, pesticide application, and harvesting to ensure crop health and quality.
- Teamwork and Communication: Ability to work cooperatively within a small crew and clearly understand instructions from supervisors or farm managers.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to shift quickly between different tasks, such as crop work, livestock care, and equipment repair, based on the farm's immediate needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform Planting and Cultivation Tasks: Involves preparing soil, planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, and applying fertilizers or pesticides to ensure healthy crop growth.
- Harvest Crops: Includes manually or mechanically picking, cutting, and gathering mature crops, following strict quality standards for sorting and packaging.
- Tend to Livestock and Poultry: Responsibilities may include feeding, watering, cleaning pens/stalls, monitoring animal health, and assisting with birthing or vaccinations.
- Operate and Maintain Farm Equipment: Safely drive and use tractors, harvesting machines, irrigation systems, and other specialized tools, performing routine maintenance and cleaning.
- Perform General Farm Maintenance: Complete various tasks such as mending fences, repairing buildings, clearing ditches, stacking supplies, and keeping workspaces organized and clean.
Five Common Interview Questions
- "Tell us about your experience working outdoors in challenging weather conditions."
- Purpose: To gauge your resilience, commitment, and realistic understanding of the physically demanding environment of farm work.
- "What experience do you have operating farm machinery or other heavy equipment?"
- Purpose: To assess your technical skills, knowledge of safety protocols, and the level of supervision you will require for equipment operation.
- "How do you handle a repetitive task while maintaining focus on quality and speed?"
- Purpose: To evaluate your work ethic and ability to maintain consistent, high-quality work over long periods during critical seasons like planting or harvest.
- "Describe a time you followed a detailed, multi-step instruction for a process like pest control or crop rotation."
- Purpose: To test your listening skills, attention to detail, and ability to execute complex instructions critical for successful crop or livestock management.
- "Are you able to work flexible and sometimes long hours, particularly during peak seasons?"
- Purpose: To confirm your availability and willingness to adapt your schedule to the unpredictable and time-sensitive demands of agriculture.
Questions?
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