Agricultural Labor

Agricultural labor is essential to the U.S. food system, involving about 2.9 million workers who plant, tend, and harvest crops, as well as manage livestock. These workers support the $1.26 trillion agricultural industry and play a vital role in maintaining food production across the country.

Rising Labor Costs and Wages

Farm labor costs are at record levels, projected to exceed $53 billion in 2025. Wage rates for hired agricultural workers average between $19.52 and $19.80 per hour, with regional and job-specific variations. Recent federal rules have introduced new wage categories, increasing costs further and challenging farm profitability, especially for smaller operations.

Foreign Agricultural Workers and the H-2A Program

To address labor shortages, many farms depend on the H-2A visa program, which allows temporary foreign workers to fill seasonal agricultural jobs. The number of H-2A positions has grown dramatically from 48,000 in 2005 to about 385,000 in 2024. More details about this program and its requirements can be found in the H-2A visa for foreign agricultural workers article.

Employment Trends and Labor Challenges

Despite the growing reliance on H-2A workers, overall agricultural employment is expected to decline by about 3 percent from 2024 to 2034. Labor shortages, immigration enforcement, and wage regulations continue to impact the availability and cost of farm labor, influencing food production capacity and prices in the U.S.