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pdfFarm Labor
ISSN: 1949-0909
Released November 22, 2023, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United Sta tes
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
October Hired Workers Down 1 Percent; Gross Wage Rate Increased 6 Percent from Previous Year
There were 776,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of
October 8-14, 2023, down 1 percent from the October 2022 reference week. Workers hired directly by farm operators
numbered 781,000 during the week of July 9-15, 2023, down 2 percent from the July 2022 reference week.
Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $18.81 per hour during the October 2023 reference
week, up 6 percent from the October 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.24 per hour, up
7 percent. Livestock workers earned $17.19 per hour, up 4 percent. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage
rate, at $17.95 per hour, was up 6 percent from the 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.7 hours
during the October 2023 reference week, down slightly from the hours worked during the October 2022 reference week.
Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $18.61 per hour during the July 2023 reference week,
up 6 percent from the July 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.08 per hour, up 8 percent,
while livestock workers earned $16.95 per hour, up 2 percent from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker
combined gross wage rate, at $17.76 per hour, was up 6 percent from the July 2022 reference week. Hired laborers
worked an average of 41.2 hours during the July 2023 reference week, up slightly from the hours worked during the July
2022 reference week.
The 2023 all hired worker annual average gross wage rate was $18.53 per hour, up 6 percent from the 2022 annual
average gross wage rate. The 2023 field worker annual average gross wage rate was $17.88 per hour, up 7 percent from
the 2022 annual average. The 2023 livestock worker annual average gross wage rate was $16.85 per hour. The 2023
annual average combined gross wage for field and livestock workers was $17.55, up 6 percent from the 2022 annual
average of $16.62 per hour.
Contents
Hired Workers, Gross Hours Worked by Hired Workers, and Gross Wage Rates – United States ...................................... 5
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: October 8-14, 2023 ...................................... 6
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: October 8-14, 2023 .................................................. 7
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: July 9-15, 2023 ............................................ 8
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: July 9-15, 2023 ........................................................ 9
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: April 9-15, 2023 .........................................10
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: April 9-15, 2023......................................................11
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: January 8-14, 2023......................................12
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: January 8-14, 2023 ..................................................13
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: October 9-15, 2022 .....................................14
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: October 9-15, 2022 .................................................15
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: July 10-16, 2022 .........................................16
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: July 10-16, 2022 .....................................................17
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions and 48 States:
October 8-14, 2023 ............................................................................................................................................................18
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions and 48 States:
July 9-15, 2023 ..................................................................................................................................................................18
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions and 48 States:
October 9-15, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................................19
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions and 48 States:
July 10-16, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................................19
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions and 48 States: October 8-14, 2023 ..............20
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions and 48 States: July 9-15, 2023 ....................20
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions and 48 States: October 9-15, 2022 ..............21
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions and 48 States: July 10-16, 2022 ..................21
Field and Livestock Workers by Type of Farm..................................................................................................................22
Hired Workers by Economic Class of Farm.......................................................................................................................22
Hired Workers by Number of Workers on Farm ................................................................................................................22
Hired Workers by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System ............................................................................23
Gross Wage Rates by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System ......................................................................23
Annual Average Number of Hired Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States:
2022 and 2023 ...................................................................................................................................................................24
Annual Average Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: 2022 and 2023 ..............................25
Farm Labor Regions – Map ..............................................................................................................................................26
2
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Farm Labor Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Survey Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 29
Information Contacts ......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
3
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4
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Hired Workers, Gross Hours Worked by Hired Workers, and Gross Wage Rates – United States
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Farm employment
July 10-16,
2022
October 9-15,
2022
January 8-14,
2023
April 9-15,
2023
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
Hired workers
150 days or more ..........................
149 days or less ............................
Total .....................................................
Gross hours worked by hired workers ...
591
206
797
593
192
785
452
59
511
551
100
651
591
190
781
597
179
776
(hours per week) (hours per week) (hours per week) (hours per week) (hours per week) (hours per week)
41.1
41.8
38.9
40.6
41.2
41.7
(dollars per hour) (dollars per hour) (dollars per hour) (dollars per hour) (dollars per hour) (dollars per hour)
1
Gross wage rates
Field and livestock combined .............
Field workers .................................
Livestock workers .........................
All hired workers ..................................
1
16.76
16.80
16.65
17.63
16.90
17.04
16.52
17.72
17.26
17.67
16.71
18.55
16.99
17.26
16.48
18.08
17.76
18.08
16.95
18.61
17.95
18.24
17.19
18.81
Benefits, such as housing and meals, are provided to some workers but the values are not included in the gross wage rates.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
5
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: October 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
45
34
33
28
12
6
40.1
37.7
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
37
30
26
26
11
4
41.5
39.3
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
32
28
24
25
8
3
37.8
43.4
Lake .......................................
64
50
14
42.8
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
38
32
29
23
9
9
42.3
42.2
Delta ......................................
30
22
8
45.3
Northern Plains .....................
43
32
11
47.9
Southern Plains ....................
53
44
9
38.7
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
29
18
15
22
13
14
7
5
1
47.0
43.5
45.4
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
84
159
56
126
28
33
40.1
41.9
Hawaii ....................................
5
4
1
36.3
United States ........................
776
597
179
41.7
1
6
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: October 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
18.69
17.78
17.93
16.27
18.41
17.42
19.18
18.31
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
16.32
15.05
15.41
15.70
16.15
15.27
16.74
15.95
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
15.13
14.65
14.97
16.25
15.10
14.80
15.90
15.75
Lake .......................................
20.30
18.35
19.37
20.38
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
19.06
18.66
17.01
18.07
18.61
18.47
19.14
19.05
Delta ......................................
14.39
13.86
14.26
14.65
Northern Plains .....................
19.88
17.30
18.89
19.37
Southern Plains ....................
15.12
16.61
15.96
16.64
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
16.27
17.44
16.60
15.86
15.59
16.84
16.08
16.59
16.71
16.77
17.49
17.63
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
19.36
20.30
18.86
19.75
19.31
20.22
19.93
21.50
Hawaii ...................................
18.90
20.35
19.07
20.83
United States ........................
18.24
17.19
17.95
18.81
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
7
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: July 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
45
37
34
29
11
8
38.2
38.5
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
34
31
26
24
8
7
40.2
38.7
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
32
26
25
23
7
3
39.3
42.6
Lake .......................................
59
49
10
42.8
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
36
24
30
20
6
4
41.0
40.1
Delta ......................................
28
24
4
43.9
Northern Plains .....................
37
31
6
45.2
Southern Plains ....................
51
42
9
39.4
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
27
21
14
21
15
13
6
6
1
44.5
42.9
45.5
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
102
172
53
128
49
44
41.1
41.4
Hawaii ....................................
5
4
1
36.2
United States ........................
781
591
190
41.2
1
8
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: July 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
18.36
17.42
17.95
16.40
18.21
17.20
18.92
18.00
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
16.15
14.66
14.96
15.48
15.92
14.94
16.40
15.66
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
14.98
15.00
15.15
16.55
15.02
15.19
15.71
16.04
Lake .......................................
18.87
18.36
18.60
19.64
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
18.45
16.47
17.21
17.27
18.15
16.84
18.80
17.85
Delta ......................................
14.50
14.63
14.54
15.02
Northern Plains .....................
18.87
17.44
18.18
18.68
Southern Plains ....................
15.59
13.98
14.75
15.55
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
16.57
17.34
16.59
16.01
16.15
16.95
16.27
16.88
16.77
16.94
17.62
17.64
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
19.82
19.90
18.68
19.65
19.73
19.86
20.17
21.16
Hawaii ...................................
18.85
20.30
18.99
20.82
United States ........................
18.08
16.95
17.76
18.61
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
9
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: April 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
35
26
27
21
8
5
41.9
39.4
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
31
21
26
17
5
4
36.6
39.0
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
32
27
25
23
7
4
42.1
41.6
Lake .......................................
55
49
6
40.1
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
33
27
25
23
8
4
37.8
39.7
Delta ......................................
25
20
5
44.8
Northern Plains .....................
37
33
4
41.8
Southern Plains ....................
60
55
5
41.9
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
24
17
15
21
12
14
3
5
1
43.3
41.3
46.8
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
50
131
41
115
9
16
40.6
39.0
Hawaii ....................................
5
4
1
35.9
United States ........................
651
551
100
40.6
1
Region map on page 26.
10
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: April 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
17.69
17.19
15.71
16.35
16.94
16.92
18.10
18.15
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
16.03
14.86
14.10
15.07
15.53
14.96
16.39
15.91
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
14.49
14.50
12.77
14.30
14.03
14.48
14.69
15.36
Lake .......................................
19.01
16.97
17.92
18.92
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
18.44
17.31
15.98
17.70
17.71
17.51
18.57
18.25
Delta ......................................
14.35
15.07
14.52
14.94
Northern Plains .....................
19.35
16.84
17.87
18.51
Southern Plains ....................
15.45
15.69
15.57
16.41
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
16.47
16.80
15.23
17.05
16.02
16.55
16.78
16.42
15.81
17.67
17.50
16.74
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
18.42
19.10
18.38
19.75
18.42
19.21
19.34
20.95
Hawaii ...................................
18.40
18.60
18.43
20.44
United States ........................
17.26
16.48
16.99
18.08
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
11
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: January 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
22
19
19
17
3
2
42.7
36.0
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
22
17
20
15
2
2
35.3
37.9
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
24
25
20
23
4
2
40.1
41.7
Lake .......................................
41
37
4
39.8
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
23
23
21
21
2
2
38.7
36.7
Delta ......................................
16
14
2
39.8
Northern Plains .....................
33
30
3
40.0
Southern Plains ....................
50
44
6
38.8
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
16
13
15
15
12
12
1
1
3
43.3
41.5
44.8
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
37
110
32
96
5
14
39.9
36.3
Hawaii ....................................
5
4
1
35.3
United States ........................
511
452
59
38.9
1
Region map on page 26.
12
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: January 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
18.89
17.45
15.69
16.82
17.08
17.19
18.50
18.53
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
15.91
15.60
14.30
15.47
15.31
15.53
16.51
16.71
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
15.28
14.60
12.93
14.75
14.59
14.62
15.41
15.59
Lake .......................................
19.17
16.85
17.63
18.85
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
19.24
17.92
16.70
18.23
18.10
18.11
19.18
19.05
Delta ......................................
14.67
15.93
15.09
15.69
Northern Plains .....................
20.03
17.10
18.05
18.91
Southern Plains ....................
17.04
14.91
15.91
16.84
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
18.77
16.80
15.48
17.28
16.31
16.71
17.62
16.53
16.04
18.73
17.82
16.93
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
18.89
19.25
18.17
19.80
18.76
19.40
19.78
21.40
Hawaii ...................................
18.40
18.65
18.44
20.29
United States ........................
17.67
16.71
17.26
18.55
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
13
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: October 9-15, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
41
32
31
25
10
7
40.9
38.9
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
35
31
27
19
8
12
39.0
37.3
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
35
26
28
24
7
2
41.3
43.2
Lake .......................................
69
50
19
42.9
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
37
29
28
21
9
8
40.2
40.6
Delta ......................................
35
26
9
45.0
Northern Plains .....................
45
32
13
45.9
Southern Plains ....................
59
45
14
41.2
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
30
20
12
24
16
11
6
4
1
46.3
41.9
46.7
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
86
157
54
127
32
30
41.1
41.7
Hawaii ....................................
6
5
1
35.0
United States ........................
785
593
192
41.8
1
Region map on page 26.
14
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: October 9-15, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
17.15
17.31
16.38
16.05
16.92
17.07
17.87
18.12
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
14.25
14.25
15.61
13.97
14.57
14.16
15.14
14.87
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
13.92
14.90
14.03
14.95
13.94
14.91
14.67
16.08
Lake .......................................
18.26
17.52
17.92
18.83
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
17.60
17.25
16.18
17.53
17.27
17.34
17.79
18.19
Delta ......................................
13.62
14.47
13.79
14.17
Northern Plains .....................
18.46
16.88
17.88
18.22
Southern Plains ....................
14.24
15.98
15.10
15.74
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
15.77
16.75
14.82
15.68
14.71
16.29
15.73
15.90
15.46
16.46
16.85
16.26
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
18.28
19.15
18.63
18.85
18.31
19.10
18.88
20.23
Hawaii ...................................
17.85
17.85
17.85
19.53
United States ........................
17.04
16.52
16.90
17.72
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
15
Number of Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States: July 10-16, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Expected to be employed
Number of
workers
150 days or more
149 days or less
Gross
hours worked
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .............................
Northeast II ............................
41
37
30
23
11
14
39.4
39.7
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
35
32
26
19
9
13
39.7
36.0
Southeast ..............................
Florida ....................................
36
24
30
23
6
1
40.8
42.7
Lake .......................................
63
49
14
41.3
Cornbelt I ...............................
Cornbelt II ..............................
37
22
29
19
8
3
38.4
39.3
Delta ......................................
33
27
6
43.6
Northern Plains .....................
38
32
6
44.4
Southern Plains ....................
56
45
11
40.5
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
29
22
13
24
16
11
5
6
2
45.5
41.0
45.6
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
106
168
55
129
51
39
41.1
41.7
Hawaii ....................................
5
4
1
34.9
United States ........................
797
591
206
41.1
1
Region map on page 26.
16
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: July 10-16, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Type of worker
Field workers
Livestock workers
Field and livestock
combined
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Gross wage rates for
all hired workers
(dollars per hour)
Northeast I ............................
Northeast II ...........................
17.08
16.10
16.17
16.10
16.80
16.10
17.67
17.09
Appalachian I ........................
Appalachian II .......................
14.45
13.58
15.45
14.23
14.68
13.81
15.22
14.53
Southeast ..............................
Florida ...................................
13.97
14.80
14.10
15.45
14.00
14.89
14.63
15.98
Lake .......................................
17.33
17.69
17.51
18.49
Cornbelt I ..............................
Cornbelt II .............................
17.24
16.67
16.53
17.42
17.05
17.00
17.65
18.10
Delta ......................................
13.64
14.16
13.76
14.15
Northern Plains .....................
17.57
16.85
17.25
17.69
Southern Plains ....................
14.55
16.23
15.37
16.05
Mountain I .............................
Mountain II ............................
Mountain III ...........................
15.51
17.45
14.93
15.65
15.36
16.46
15.57
16.66
15.69
16.27
17.46
16.42
Pacific ....................................
California ...............................
17.94
18.90
18.06
19.05
17.95
18.93
18.50
20.21
Hawaii ...................................
17.40
17.90
17.47
19.24
United States ........................
16.80
16.65
16.76
17.63
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
17
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: October 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Regions1
Field
crop farms
Other
crop farms
Livestock and
poultry farms
All
farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
2
Northeast ..............................................................
Appalachian 3 ..........................................................
Southeast and Florida ............................................
Lake .........................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ................................................................
Delta ........................................................................
Northern Plains .......................................................
Southern Plains ......................................................
Mountain 5 ...............................................................
Pacific and California ..............................................
16.90
16.20
15.63
22.33
19.59
14.18
21.05
14.93
15.97
21.67
18.19
15.54
14.92
19.01
17.26
15.17
21.32
13.72
16.65
19.80
18.02
15.43
15.13
18.67
17.61
13.61
15.90
16.72
16.22
19.76
18.00
15.77
14.95
19.37
18.54
14.26
18.89
15.96
16.37
19.90
48 States 6 ...............................................................
18.33
18.07
17.31
17.94
1
2
3
4
5
6
Region map on page 26.
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: July 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Regions1
Field
crop farms
Other
crop farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Livestock and
poultry farms
All
farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Northeast 2 ..............................................................
Appalachian 3 ..........................................................
Southeast and Florida ............................................
Lake .........................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ................................................................
Delta ........................................................................
Northern Plains .......................................................
Southern Plains ......................................................
Mountain 5 ...............................................................
Pacific and California ..............................................
16.71
15.76
14.16
21.12
17.87
14.16
20.23
16.90
16.19
21.18
17.84
15.56
15.11
17.44
17.33
15.32
18.62
15.49
17.23
19.77
17.89
14.96
15.20
18.68
17.49
14.71
16.60
13.90
16.22
19.70
17.75
15.47
15.10
18.60
17.63
14.54
18.18
14.75
16.59
19.81
48 States 6 ...............................................................
17.26
18.29
16.81
17.75
1
2
3
4
5
6
Region map on page 26.
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
18
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: October 9-15, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Regions1
Field
crop farms
Other
crop farms
Livestock and
poultry farms
All
farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
2
Northeast ..............................................................
Appalachian 3 ..........................................................
Southeast and Florida ............................................
Lake .........................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ................................................................
Delta ........................................................................
Northern Plains .......................................................
Southern Plains ......................................................
Mountain 5 ...............................................................
Pacific and California .............................................
17.43
14.75
14.27
19.92
18.04
13.19
17.48
14.79
16.06
20.65
17.24
14.56
14.21
16.26
15.92
14.19
23.18
13.95
16.40
18.64
16.28
13.94
14.71
18.34
16.96
14.87
15.76
15.89
14.90
18.78
16.98
14.38
14.36
17.92
17.30
13.79
17.88
15.10
15.73
18.81
48 States 6 ..............................................................
16.88
17.12
16.33
16.89
1
2
3
4
5
6
Region map on page 26.
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
Combined Field and Livestock Worker Gross Wage Rates by Type of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: July 10-16, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Regions1
Field
crop farms
Other
crop farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Livestock and
poultry farms
All
farms
(dollars per hour)
(dollars per hour)
Northeast 2 ..............................................................
Appalachian 3 ..........................................................
Southeast and Florida ............................................
Lake .........................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ................................................................
Delta ........................................................................
Northern Plains .......................................................
Southern Plains ......................................................
Mountain 5 ...............................................................
Pacific and California .............................................
17.44
15.00
14.26
19.96
18.02
13.39
17.33
14.18
17.28
19.33
16.49
14.43
14.25
16.11
16.08
14.23
17.56
14.32
16.58
18.43
16.10
13.74
14.67
17.82
16.96
13.92
17.10
16.27
15.12
18.91
16.46
14.29
14.36
17.51
17.03
13.76
17.25
15.37
15.94
18.54
48 States 6 ..............................................................
16.27
17.02
16.37
16.76
1
2
3
4
5
6
Region map on page 26.
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
19
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: October 8-14, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Gross value sales-$1,000
<50
50-99
100-249
250-499
500-999
1,000+
All
farms
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
Northeast 2 .........................................................
Appalachian 3 .....................................................
Southeast and Florida .......................................
Lake ....................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ...........................................................
Delta ...................................................................
Northern Plains ..................................................
Southern Plains .................................................
Mountain 5 ..........................................................
Pacific and California .........................................
(S)
15.19
15.45
(S)
(S)
10.60
(S)
(S)
(S)
(S)
19.19
17.58
17.20
14.65
15.93
17.99
17.24
14.13
(S)
19.77
17.99
15.83
14.69
17.27
19.14
15.55
(S)
14.29
15.84
20.30
16.88
14.30
14.39
16.31
15.30
14.67
(S)
14.56
16.25
20.15
18.79
15.14
16.41
17.35
19.24
15.27
20.84
19.75
15.18
21.05
19.04
16.88
16.01
21.08
19.60
14.28
20.45
(S)
17.51
20.97
18.82
16.40
15.82
20.38
19.10
14.65
19.37
16.64
17.18
20.97
48 States 6 ..........................................................
20.04
17.19
16.99
16.34
18.29
19.08
18.79
Regions1
(S) Insufficient number of reports to establish an estimate.
1
Region map on page 26.
2
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
3
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
4
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
5
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
6
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: July 9-15, 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Gross value sales-$1,000
<50
50-99
100-249
250-499
500-999
1,000+
All
farms
Northeast 2 .........................................................
Appalachian 3 .....................................................
Southeast and Florida .......................................
Lake ....................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ...........................................................
Delta ...................................................................
Northern Plains ..................................................
Southern Plains .................................................
Mountain 5 ..........................................................
Pacific and California .........................................
(dollars per
hour)
(S)
15.11
14.89
(S)
(S)
11.98
(S)
(S)
(S)
(S)
(dollars per
hour)
17.32
15.75
16.66
13.48
14.96
17.44
17.05
15.88
(S)
21.51
(dollars per
hour)
16.48
15.67
14.24
17.29
14.64
16.25
(S)
14.25
16.64
21.65
(dollars per
hour)
16.47
14.29
14.63
16.77
14.66
13.69
(S)
15.37
16.41
20.71
(dollars per
hour)
18.76
15.04
16.89
15.31
20.04
16.06
19.91
(S)
14.64
20.76
(dollars per
hour)
18.84
16.59
16.10
20.49
19.31
14.30
19.47
(S)
17.85
20.76
(dollars per
hour)
18.50
16.05
15.86
19.64
18.43
15.02
18.68
15.55
17.33
20.79
48 States 6 ..........................................................
16.88
16.66
16.44
16.51
18.32
19.07
18.59
Regions1
(S) Insufficient number of reports to establish an estimate.
1
Region map on page 26.
2
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
3
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
4
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
5
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
6
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
20
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: October 9-15, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Gross value sales-$1,000
<50
50-99
100-249
250-499
500-999
1,000+
All
farms
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
(dollars per
hour)
Northeast 2 .........................................................
Appalachian 3 .....................................................
Southeast and Florida .......................................
Lake ....................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ...........................................................
Delta ...................................................................
Northern Plains ..................................................
Southern Plains .................................................
Mountain 5 ..........................................................
Pacific and California ........................................
(S)
13.61
13.28
(S)
15.67
12.38
(S)
13.25
(S)
(S)
(S)
12.81
13.92
(S)
15.40
15.66
(S)
(S)
(S)
20.91
(S)
15.26
12.65
17.43
16.58
13.38
(S)
14.07
15.91
19.16
15.83
15.16
14.33
16.16
16.70
12.72
17.36
17.18
15.85
19.15
16.58
14.06
13.84
19.63
15.69
13.85
16.65
15.72
16.67
18.99
18.31
16.15
15.88
18.99
19.08
14.16
18.64
15.82
16.34
19.82
17.98
15.02
15.29
18.83
17.97
14.17
18.22
15.74
16.54
19.76
48 States 6 .........................................................
16.03
15.89
16.86
16.39
16.75
18.21
17.71
Regions1
(S) Insufficient number of reports to establish an estimate.
1
Region map on page 26.
2
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
3
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
4
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
5
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
6
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
All Hired Worker Gross Wage Rates by Economic Class of Farm – Regions
and 48 States: July 10-16, 2022
[Excludes agricultural service workers]
Gross value sales-$1,000
<50
50-99
100-249
250-499
500-999
1,000+
All
farms
Northeast 2 .........................................................
Appalachian 3 .....................................................
Southeast and Florida .......................................
Lake ....................................................................
Cornbelt 4 ...........................................................
Delta ...................................................................
Northern Plains ..................................................
Southern Plains .................................................
Mountain 5 ..........................................................
Pacific and California ........................................
(dollars per
hour)
(S)
12.65
14.25
(S)
15.15
13.76
(S)
14.51
(S)
(S)
(dollars per
hour)
(S)
12.56
13.43
(S)
14.23
14.73
(S)
(S)
(S)
18.70
(dollars per
hour)
(S)
15.47
13.16
16.13
16.25
13.39
(S)
13.58
17.15
19.52
(dollars per
hour)
15.45
15.17
14.03
16.26
15.47
12.88
15.74
16.30
16.04
18.99
(dollars per
hour)
16.00
14.24
15.04
16.39
16.03
14.01
16.70
16.08
17.24
20.02
(dollars per
hour)
17.43
16.40
15.54
19.27
18.70
14.29
18.00
16.21
16.25
19.50
(dollars per
hour)
17.39
14.91
15.18
18.49
17.82
14.15
17.69
16.05
16.68
19.55
48 States 6 .........................................................
16.24
15.40
17.17
16.14
16.90
18.08
17.62
Regions1
(S) Insufficient number of reports to establish an estimate.
1
Region map on page 26.
2
Includes Northeast I and Northeast II.
3
Includes Appalachian I and Appalachian II.
4
Includes Cornbelt I and Cornbelt II.
5
Includes Mountain I, Mountain II, and Mountain III.
6
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
21
Field and Livestock Workers by Type of Farm
[Excludes agricultural service workers, Alaska, and Hawaii]
Type of farm
July 10-16,
2022
October 9-15,
2022
January 8-14,
2023
April 9-15,
2023
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
Field crop farms ......................................
Other crop farms .....................................
Livestock, dairy, and poultry farms ........
13
58
29
17
54
29
11
47
42
12
54
34
14
56
30
15
55
30
Hired Workers by Economic Class of Farm
[Excludes agricultural service workers, Alaska, and Hawaii]
July 10-16,
October 9-15,
Gross value of sales
2022
2022
(percent)
Less than $50,000 .......................
$50,000-$99,999 ..........................
$100,000-$249,999 .....................
$250,000-$499,999 .....................
$500,000-$999,999 .....................
$1,000,000 and over ....................
(percent)
6
4
7
7
11
65
January 8-14,
2023
April 9-15,
2023
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
5
4
7
8
11
65
5
4
6
9
12
64
4
4
6
10
11
65
5
3
6
8
11
67
5
2
7
8
10
68
Hired Workers by Number of Workers on Farm
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
July 10-16,
Number of workers on farm
2022
(percent)
1 worker ...................................
2 workers ..................................
3-6 workers ..............................
7-10 workers ............................
11-20 workers ..........................
21-50 workers ..........................
51 or more workers .................
22
7
7
15
7
10
14
40
October 9-15,
2022
January 8-14,
2023
April 9-15,
2023
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
8
6
17
7
11
15
36
8
8
18
9
11
17
29
6
7
17
8
12
16
34
6
6
16
8
11
14
39
6
7
16
8
11
15
37
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Hired Workers by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Title
Graders and sorters, agricultural products ............................................
Agricultural equipment operators ...........................................................
Farmworkers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse ......................................
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals ...........................
Agricultural workers, all other .................................................................
Packers and packagers, hand ................................................................
SOC Code
July 10-16,
2022
October 9-15,
2022
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(45-2041)
(45-2091)
(45-2092)
(45-2093)
(45-2099)
(53-7064)
12
126
381
159
8
19
13
149
354
155
9
15
11
130
371
156
8
18
14
142
348
159
7
15
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers ............................ (11-9013)
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing workers .................................. (45-1011)
25
23
24
22
24
20
24
20
Gross Wage Rates by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Title
SOC Code
July 10-16,
2022
October 9-15,
2022
July 9-15,
2023
October 8-14,
2023
(45-2041)
(45-2091)
(45-2092)
(45-2093)
(45-2099)
(53-7064)
(dollars per
hour)
15.30
17.45
16.65
16.30
16.75
16.30
(dollars per
hour)
15.95
18.25
16.70
16.30
16.75
17.55
(dollars per
hour)
16.85
18.35
17.80
16.60
17.55
16.20
(dollars per
hour)
17.10
19.00
17.95
17.00
17.70
16.50
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers ............................ (11-9013)
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing workers .................................. (45-1011)
27.70
23.15
27.90
23.80
29.30
25.50
29.35
25.95
Graders and sorters, agricultural products ............................................
Agricultural equipment operators ...........................................................
Farmworkers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse ......................................
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals ...........................
Agricultural workers, all other .................................................................
Packers and packagers, hand ................................................................
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
23
Annual Average Number of Hired Workers and Gross Hours Worked – Regions and United States:
2022 and 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska]
Regions1 and
United States
Hired workers
Gross hours worked
2022
2023
2022
2023
(1,000)
(1,000)
(hours per week)
(hours per week)
Northeast I .....................................................
Northeast II ....................................................
34.0
29.0
36.8
29.0
39.1
38.5
40.3
38.1
Appalachian I ................................................
Appalachian II ...............................................
29.3
24.8
31.0
24.8
38.9
37.1
38.8
38.8
Southeast ......................................................
30.5
30.0
39.9
39.8
Florida ............................................................
26.3
26.5
42.5
42.3
Lake ...............................................................
58.3
54.8
40.7
41.6
Cornbelt I .......................................................
Cornbelt II ......................................................
32.5
23.3
32.5
26.5
39.1
37.9
40.2
39.9
Delta ..............................................................
27.3
24.8
43.1
43.9
Northern Plains .............................................
Southern Plains ............................................
35.8
55.0
37.5
53.5
44.5
40.6
44.0
39.8
Mountain I .....................................................
Mountain II ....................................................
Mountain III ...................................................
24.0
18.5
13.5
24.0
17.3
14.8
46.0
41.6
47.4
44.8
42.4
45.6
Pacific ............................................................
California .......................................................
68.3
144.5
68.3
143.0
39.8
40.5
40.5
40.0
Hawaii ............................................................
5.3
5.0
35.2
35.9
United States ................................................
679.8
679.8
40.6
40.8
1
Region map on page 26.
24
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Annual Average Gross Wage Rates by Type of Worker – Regions and United States: 2022 and 2023
[Excludes agricultural service workers and Alaska. Annual rates are averages of the published wage rates for each survey week weighted by the
number of hours worked during the week]
Type of worker
1
Regions and
United States
Field
workers
Gross wage
rates for all
hired workers
Field and
livestock
combined
Livestock
workers
2022
2023
2022
2023
2022
2023
2022
2023
Northeast I ......................................
Northeast II .....................................
(dollars per
hour)
17.34
16.85
(dollars per
hour)
18.36
17.49
(dollars per
hour)
16.25
15.63
(dollars per
hour)
16.86
16.46
(dollars per
hour)
16.95
16.55
(dollars per
hour)
17.80
17.20
(dollars per
hour)
17.91
17.68
(dollars per
hour)
18.73
18.21
Appalachian I ..................................
Appalachian II .................................
14.78
14.20
16.15
14.95
15.32
14.34
14.71
15.42
14.91
14.26
15.81
15.14
15.54
15.03
16.52
15.98
Southeast ........................................
Florida .............................................
13.68
14.28
14.94
14.69
13.62
14.63
13.88
15.39
13.67
14.33
14.68
14.77
14.35
15.26
15.41
15.69
Lake .................................................
17.79
19.43
16.94
17.78
17.34
18.50
18.22
19.55
Cornbelt I ........................................
Cornbelt II .......................................
17.60
17.43
18.75
17.76
16.11
17.68
16.79
17.82
17.17
17.54
18.18
17.79
17.87
18.37
18.91
18.57
Delta ................................................
13.59
14.45
13.95
14.66
13.67
14.53
14.10
14.98
Northern Plains ...............................
17.89
19.52
16.71
17.15
17.33
18.32
17.90
18.90
Southern Plains ..............................
14.34
15.76
15.38
15.35
14.87
15.55
15.57
16.36
Mountain I .......................................
Mountain II ......................................
Mountain III .....................................
15.86
17.25
14.95
16.61
17.17
15.94
15.50
15.26
16.43
16.36
15.99
16.77
15.68
16.34
15.62
16.54
16.63
16.32
16.43
17.27
16.38
17.35
17.59
17.23
Pacific ..............................................
California .........................................
17.95
18.62
19.33
19.75
18.16
18.80
18.56
19.73
17.97
18.65
19.25
19.75
18.66
20.09
19.89
21.25
Hawaii .............................................
17.10
18.65
18.11
19.37
17.25
18.74
19.15
20.60
United States ..................................
16.77
17.88
16.29
16.85
16.62
17.55
17.56
18.53
1
Region map on page 26.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
25
Farm Labor Regions
Pacific
Mountain I
Lake
States
Northern
Plains
Cornbelt
II
Mountain
II
Northeast I
Northeast
II
Cornbelt I
Appalachian
I
California
Appalachian
II
Mountain III
Southeast
Delta
Southern
Plains
Florida
Hawaii
USDA/ NASS
Region
States
Northeast I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New York, Rhode Island, Vermont.
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
North Carolina, Virginia.
Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia.
Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina.
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin.
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio.
Iowa, Missouri.
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi.
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Oklahoma, Texas.
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming.
Colorado, Nevada, Utah.
Arizona, New Mexico.
Oregon, Washington.
Northeast II
Appalachian I
Appalachian II
Southeast
Lake
Cornbelt I
Cornbelt II
Delta
Northern Plains
Southern Plains
Mountain I
Mountain II
Mountain III
Pacific
26
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Farm Labor Definitions
The following definitions are provided to assist in interpreting statistics published in Farm Labor reports. To ensure
consistency in data collection, the questionnaires and instruction manual used by the interviewers provide more in-depth
explanations of these terms.
Farm or Ranch: The target population unit for the Agricultural (Farm) Labor Survey, which is any place with $1,000 or
more in annual agricultural sales (or potential sales).
Agricultural Work: Work done on a farm or ranch in connection with the production of agricultural products, including
nursery and greenhouse products and animal specialties such as fur farms or apiaries. Also included is work done off the
farm to handle farm related business, such as trips to buy feed or deliver products to local market.
Hired Worker: Anyone, other than an agricultural service worker, who was paid for at least one hour of agricultural
work on a farm or ranch. Beginning with years 2020-2021, worker type is primarily determined by assessing worker tasks
performed during the survey reference week. Previously, worker type was determined by what each employee was
primarily hired to do, not necessarily what work was done during the survey reference week. Types of workers include:
Field Workers: Employees engaged in planting, tending and harvesting crops including operation of farm machinery
on crop farms. The Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes and titles associated with field workers are 45 2041: Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products; 45-2091: Agricultural Equipment Operators; 45-2092:
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse; 45-2099: Agricultural Workers, All Other; 53-7064:
Packers and Packagers, Hand.
Livestock Workers: Employees tending livestock, milking cows or caring for poultry, including operation of farm
machinery on livestock or poultry operations. SOC codes and titles associated with livestock workers are 45 -2041:
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products; 45-2093: Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals; 452099: Agricultural Workers, All Other; 53-7064: Packers and Packagers, Hand.
Supervisors: Hired managers, range foremen, crew leaders, etc. SOC codes and titles associated with supervisors are
11-9013: Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers; 45-1011: First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing,
and Forestry Workers.
Other Workers: Employees engaged in agricultural work not included in the other three categories. Bookkeepers
and pilots are examples. SOC codes and titles associated with other workers include but are not limited to 45-2011:
Agricultural Inspectors; 45-2021: Animal Breeders; 37-2012: Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators,
Vegetation.
For more information on the applicable Standard Occupational Classification codes, see “Crosswalk from National
Agricultural Statistics Service Farm Labor Survey to the Standard Occupational Classification System” at the “Surveys
and Programs” page for Farm Labor, on the NASS website (http://www.nass.usda.gov).
Methods of Pay: All wage rates are calculated based on total wages paid and total hours worked during the survey
reference week. Wages paid other than hourly (bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) are converted to an hourly basis prior to
summarization. Wages paid by piece rate (per quantity of produce picked, etc.) are also converted to an hourly basis.
Gross Hours: Gross hours are the number of hours worked during the survey reference week.
Base Hours: Base hours are the number of hours worked, for which base wages are paid. Base hours were used in the
calculation of base wage rates for year 2020. Beginning with July and October 2021, publication of base hours and base
wage rates, and collection of associated data, is discontinued.
Gross Wage Rate: Gross wages are the total amount paid to workers before taxes and other deductions; the rate is per
hour. The worker’s share of social security and unemployment insurance is included, but the employer’s share is excluded.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
27
Gross wages may include in-kind payments (e.g., agricultural product like a side of beef, bushels of grain, etc.) provided
in lieu of wages for work done. The value of perquisites is excluded from gross wages.
Base Wage Rate: Base wages are gross wages less regularly paid bonuses, overtime pay, or other incentive pay. For
employees receiving incentive pay such as piece rate pay or commissions, the base wages are the minimum amount
guaranteed. The rate was per base hour, for year 2020. The rate was per gross hour, for year 2019. Beginning with July
and October 2021, publication of base hours and base wage rates, and collection of associated data, is discontinued.
Perquisites: Benefits, such as cash bonuses, housing, or meals, provided to an employee in addition to pay are included in
perquisites. Wage rates published in this release do not include the value of these benefits.
Term of Employment: The length of time during the year the farm operator expects to employ those workers who were
on the payroll during the survey week.
Agricultural Service: Any farm-related service performed on a farm or ranch on a contract or fee basis. This primarily
includes activities performed by contract workers on fruit, vegetable, or berry operations. It also includes custom work,
veterinarian work, artificial insemination, sheep shearing, milk testing, or any other farm-related activity performed on a
farm or ranch on a “fee per service” basis. The agricultural services component has been discontinued from the Farm
Labor Survey.
Contract Labor: Contract workers are paid by a crew leader, contractor, buyer, processor, cooperative, or other person
who has an oral or written agreement with a farmer/rancher. Pruning, thinning, weeding or harvesting of fruit, vegetable
or berry crops are examples. A machine is not a part of the service activity provided by the contractor. The Farm Labor
Survey excludes measures of contract labor.
Custom Work: Work performed by machines and labor hired as a unit. Hay baling, combining, corn or cotton picking,
spraying, fertilizing, and laser leveling are examples of custom work when the equipment is included in the service
activity. The Farm Labor Survey excludes measures of custom labor.
Type of Farm (or Ranch): An operation is classified in the farm type which accounts for the largest portion of the total
gross value of sales for its agricultural production.
Types of farms broken out in this publication are:
Field Crop Farms: Farms producing wheat, rice, corn, soybeans, barley, dry beans, rye, sorghum, cotton,
popcorn, tobacco, or other such crops.
Other Crop Farms: Farms producing vegetables, melons, berry crops, grapes, tree nuts, citrus fruits, deciduous
tree fruits, avocados, dates, figs, olives, nursery, or greenhouse crops. This category also includes farms
producing potatoes, sugar crops, hay, peanuts, hops, mint, and maple syrup.
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Farms: Farms producing cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, milk, chickens, eggs, turkeys,
or animal specialties such as furs, fish, honey, etc.
Gross Value of Sales: This includes all income during a year from the sale of crops, livestock, dairy, poultry, or other
related agricultural products, including the landlord's share and the value of products produced under contract. When
commodities are placed under CCC loan, they are considered sold.
28
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Survey Methodology
Survey Procedures: The NASS Agricultural (Farm) Labor Survey is conducted semi-annually in April and October, in
all surveyed states except California. During the April data collection, data for both January and April reference weeks are
collected. During the October data collection, data for both July and October reference weeks are collected. The quarterly
reference week is the Sunday to Saturday period which includes the 12th day of the month. For California, collection of
these data is currently conducted on a quarterly basis, as part of the California Employment Development Department
monthly labor program.
The target population for the Farm Labor Survey program is all operations which meet the definition of a farm or ranch.
An optimal sample is selected in each state. The total sample size target was temporarily increased to approximately
38,000 operations to accommodate a program expansion implemented for mid-years 2019 through 2021. Beginning with
the July and October 2021 survey, a sample size target of approximately 18,000 operations was derived both in
accordance with a program contraction, and adjustment for declining survey participation rates. The Farm Labor Survey is
a multiple frame survey, incorporating samples from both the NASS list and area frames to ensure adequate coverage.
Farms on the list frame are sampled through a hierarchical stratified design, with strata based on measures of size. Those
operations with associated control data indicating peak numbers of workers are stratified based on these values, and those
expected to employ large numbers of workers (higher peak number values) are selected with the greatest frequency.
Farms on the list frame which do not have peak worker control data are stratified and sampled based on farm value of
sales. Farms stratified by farm value of sales are selected at a lower frequency.
In order to provide coverage of farms not currently part of the NASS list frame, a second sample is drawn consisting of
segments of land selected from the NASS area frame. The area frame contains all land in the state and, as such, is
complete. The land is stratified according to intensity of agriculture using satellite imagery. The land in each stratum is
divided into segments of roughly one square mile. Segments are optimally allocated and sampled to effectively measure
crops and livestock. The sampled segments are fully enumerated in June. All farms and ranches found operating tracts in
these segments are checked to see if they are included in the list frame hired labor population. The farms and ranches that
are not included in the list frame labor population, called nonoverlap tracts, are sampled for the Farm Labor Survey so that
the target population is completely represented. The area frame component is enumerated during each semi-annual data
collection period along with the list sample.
Most respondents are first contacted through self-administered mailed questionnaires, which can be completed either by
hand or securely online. Nonresponse to the mail and online request is followed-up by telephone enumeration. All
manually completed survey questionnaires are returned to the NASS National Operations Center, where they are visually
reviewed and key entered.
Throughout the data collection process, steps are taken to minimize the impact of nonsampling errors such as reporting,
recording, and editing errors. These steps include questionnaire testing, comprehensive interviewer training, validation,
and verification of processing systems, application of detailed computer edits, and evaluation of the data via the analysis
tools.
Estimating Procedures: Nonresponse adjustment is necessary to account for producers who refuse to participate in the
survey, cannot be located during the data collection period, or who submit incomplete reports. These nonrespondents must
be accounted for if accurate estimates of farm labor are to be made. For the Farm Labor Survey, nonrespondents are
accounted for by adjusting the weights of the respondents. The adjustment occurs by stratum as all strata represent
homogeneous groupings of similar sized farms. The adjustment is performed by individual item on the questionnaire so
adjustments for item nonresponse (partial reports) and unit nonresponse (refusals and inaccessibles) are done in a single
calculation.
For estimation of data items, point estimates called direct expansions are calculated by multiplying the reported value by
the final adjusted weight (initial sampling weight adjusted for nonresponse) and summing to a stratum total. A variance
estimate is also computed at the stratum level. The nonoverlap tracts are treated as an additional stratum. Totals and
variances are additive across strata to form state level point estimates.
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
29
Ratio estimates are also computed for many items. For example, wage rates are calculated as the ratio of total wages to
total hours worked. Ratio estimates use the reweighted estimator described above for the numerator and denominator
direct expansions. Both the numerator and denominator must be usable in order for that record to be used in the ratio
estimator.
The number of hired workers, average hours worked, average wage rate data, and all associated sub-items are summarized
from the dataset. Because an identical data collection instrument (questionnaire) and follow-up interview are used for all
states, as well as identical editing, analysis, and summarization processes, state data can be summarized and regional and
national survey point estimates computed. For estimation purposes, point estimates are adopted as survey indicat ions for
all data items. The summary results provide multiple direct and ratio indications for each data series being estimated. The
results also provide information used to assess the performance of the current survey and evaluate the quality of the
survey indications. NASS Regional Field Offices review the state level indications and submit state level comments
documenting state specific concerns to NASS headquarters. NASS headquarters completes the regional and national level
summaries, which utilize the same estimators and produce the same indications as the state level summaries.
All estimates are set at NASS headquarters. Starting in year 2020, model-based estimates of hired workers, average hours
worked, average wage rates, and the associated sub-items are produced to support NASS estimation processes. The
model-based estimates are produced after a calibration process in which the effects of significant data outliers are
mitigated. Statistical models are mathematical equations that relate quantities of interest (in this case, number of workers,
hours, and wage rates) to a set of important input factors. The models used by NASS relate the direct expansions obtained
from the current Farm Labor Survey to previous year, same quarter official estimates. This modeling approach improves
the precision of the resulting estimates. In particular, estimates in publication cells derived from few reports become more
precise than estimates derived from survey alone.
For the final step in the estimation process, NASS assembles a panel of statisticians to serve as the Agricultural Statistics
Board (ASB) for the Farm Labor Survey. The Farm Labor ASB reviews both the modeled estimates and survey
indications and establishes all final, official estimates for the Farm Labor Survey program. As part of the semi-annual
process, the ASB also considers revised estimates and indications and issues revisions of previously published estimates
where appropriate. Additionally, the ASB reviews the annual average estimates for the November publication, which are
summarized from the final regional and national level estimates for each of the four quarters.
Revision Policy: Farm labor statistics are subject to revision semi-annually and annually. Revisions must be supported by
additional data that directly affect the level of the estimate. Worker numbers, hours and wage rates for July and October
2022, and April 2023, were subject to revision with this report.
For More Information
For more information on the Farm Labor Survey methodology and quality measures, see “Farm Labor Survey
Methodology and Quality Measures” on the NASS website (http://www.nass.usda.gov).
30
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Environmental, Economics, and Demographics Branch of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected].
Tony Dorn, Chief, Environmental, Economics, and Demographics Branch .................................................. (202) 720-6146
Bruce Boess, Head, Economics Section ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-4447
Stephanie Brennan – Farm Production Expenditures.............................................................................. (202) 690-0392
Doug Farmer – Chemical Use, Land Values .......................................................................................... (202) 690-3229
Zoe Johnson – Cash Receipts, Farm Production Expenditures ............................................................... (202) 720-5446
Michael Mathison – Cash Rents, Farms, Land in Farms, Grazing Fees .................................................. (202) 720-3243
Ralph Mondesir – Prices Received Indexes, Parity Prices, Prices Paid Indexes...................................... (202) 221-9297
Max Reason – Prices Received Indexes, Parity Prices, Prices Paid Indexes ........................................... (202) 720-8844
Theresa Varner – Farm Labor ................................................................................................................ (202) 690-3231
Farm Labor (November 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
31
Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:
➢ All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov.
➢ Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free
subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on “National” or “State” in upper right corner above “search”
box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive.
➢ Cornell’s Mann Library has launched a new website housing NASS’s and other agency’s archived reports. The
new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. All email subscriptions containing reports will be sent from the new
website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. To continue receiving the reports via e-mail, you will have to go to the
new website, create a new account and re-subscribe to the reports. If you need instructions to set up an account or
subscribe, they are located at: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/help. You should whitelist [email protected] in your email client to avoid the emails going into spam/junk folders.
For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected].
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for
employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program
or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or
employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form (PDF), found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, or
at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the
information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax
(202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Farm Labor 11/22/2023 |
| Author | USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service |
| File Modified | 2023-11-22 |
| File Created | 2023-11-22 |