15 Best States For Agricultural Workers

Farm workers are some of our nation’s most vital workers, as their labor enables us to enjoy high quality, low-cost, fresh fruits and vegetables all year round. Despite farm workers’ economic and cultural contributions to the communities where they live and work, they continue to be the some of the lowest paid, least protected, and unhealthiest workers in the United States. Agricultural labor includes planting, cultivating, harvesting and preparing crops for market or storage. Migrant farmworkers travel from place to place to work in agriculture and move into temporary housing while working; seasonal farmworkers work primarily in agriculture, but live in one community year-round. Insidermonkey experts made a list of 15 best states for agricultural workers.

Farm workers are usually employed by farm owners or by “crew leaders,” who serve as intermediaries between growers and workers. The H2A program allows foreign “guest workers” to perform seasonal farm work under a temporary work visa designed for agricultural workers in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of an agricultural worker is about $22,540 per year (about $10.83 hourly). Working conditions can be exceedingly rough for this field of work. The nature of the job requires working outdoors, regardless of weather, no matter if it is 110 degrees or snowing. If you are interested in a similar but slightly different field, you can also check our list of 25 best states for agricultural inspectors.