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Berry Picker (Hand Harvest Worker)

Berry picking is precision harvest work: speed matters, but quality matters more. This page summarizes Berry Picker roles in the United States for international candidates (often seasonal and commonly aligned with H-2A agricultural hiring). Exact terms (state, crop type, schedule, start date, housing, and compensation) depend on the hiring employer and the harvest window. CV is required for review.

CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.
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Sector: Agriculture (H-2A focus) Typical route: H-2A Work type: Seasonal harvest Last updated: —

What this job is (and what it is not)

Berry harvest is repetitive, outdoor hand work with clear daily targets. You pick ripe fruit, protect it from bruising, and keep containers clean and correctly filled. The job is not “casual tourism picking”: it is organized production work with quality grading, pace requirements, and strict field rules.

Short “portrait” of the candidate
  • Fast hands + careful touch: picks quickly without crushing fruit, keeps stems/leaves out, and follows grade rules.
  • Physical stamina: stands, bends, squats, and walks rows for long shifts; comfortable with repetitive motion.
  • Discipline: arrives on time daily, follows field instructions, respects hygiene rules, and keeps count/labels accurate.
  • Outdoor resilience: works in sun, wind, and humidity; manages hydration and pacing safely.

Typical tasks (harvest workflow)

  1. Select ripe fruit: follow ripeness/color rules per variety and customer standard.
  2. Pick and place correctly: gentle handling to avoid bruising; do not overfill containers.
  3. Basic sorting: remove damaged fruit and contamination (leaves, stems, dirt) as instructed.
  4. Container control: keep flats/clamshells clean; label or stage per crew leader rules.
  5. Field hygiene: follow sanitation instructions; wash hands when required; keep food/drink where permitted.
  6. Row efficiency: maintain steady pace, reduce walking waste, and follow picking pattern.
Anti-template note: this page uses a deterministic uniqueness module (stable per URL) to vary story, duty structure, and FAQ set without “random” rotations.

Requirements (detailed, field-realistic)

Below is what farms typically evaluate during the first days: attendance, pace, fruit quality, and rule compliance.

Physical readiness
  • Long periods of standing/walking in rows.
  • Frequent bending/squatting and repetitive hand motions.
  • Comfort carrying flats/buckets as required by the site.
Quality & hygiene
  • Pick ripe fruit only; follow grade rules.
  • Minimize bruising; correct placement in containers.
  • Field sanitation: hand hygiene and contamination avoidance.
Reliability
  • On-time daily attendance during harvest peaks.
  • Follow crew leader instructions and row assignments.
  • Respect safety rules and site policies.

Minimum requirements (screening checklist)

  • CV in English (required for review).
  • Outdoor work tolerance (sun, heat, morning moisture, wind; conditions vary by region/season).
  • Repetitive task performance with consistent quality standards.
  • Instruction discipline (harvest rules, hygiene steps, container handling, and staging methods).
  • Safety compliance (hydration, protective clothing, safe movement with loads, incident reporting).
  • Shift readiness (start times can be early; schedule is crop/weather-dependent).
What makes candidates stand out
  • Stable daily output without quality rejects.
  • Low error rate (labels/counting/row compliance).
  • Self-management (hydration, pacing, respectful teamwork, calm in peak demand).

Work conditions in the USA (current, practical)

Harvest work is seasonal and weather-sensitive. Hours can increase when fruit is at peak ripeness and decrease during rain or low yield. If hired via H-2A, job terms are typically defined in a job order/contract.

  • Housing (H-2A common standard): employer-provided housing is typically offered at no cost for covered workers.
  • Transport to fields: daily transport between housing and worksite is commonly provided for covered workers in employer housing.
  • Meals/cooking: many sites provide meals (with limits) or provide kitchen facilities for self-cooking.
  • Inbound travel reimbursement: commonly tied to contract milestones (often after 50% completion).
  • Guarantee concept: many H-2A contracts include a 75% (three-fourths) work guarantee across the contract period.
This page is informational and not legal advice. Final terms depend on the employer’s job order and applicable rules in the work location.

Next steps

  1. Create/upload your CV and ensure your phone/email are correct.
  2. We match your profile to harvest windows, crop type, and employer requirements.
  3. If shortlisted, you proceed to interview and documentation steps (role/program dependent).
What to include in your CV (for this role)
  • Any outdoor, warehouse, production, or repetitive-work experience.
  • Comfort with early starts and long standing/walking periods.
  • Languages (English level + any additional).
  • Availability dates and willingness to relocate seasonally.
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FAQ (role-specific)

The FAQ set is selected uniquely per page (stable per URL) to reduce template similarity across the USA Jobs category.

Is a CV required for Berry Picker roles?
Yes. A CV in English is required for review. Candidates without a CV are not reviewed.
Is berry picking paid hourly or by piece rate?
It depends on the farm. Some employers pay hourly; many use piece rates (per pound/flat/clamshell). When piece rates apply, the total earnings for hours worked must meet the wage standard stated in the job order/contract.
Is the job seasonal?
Yes. Berry harvest follows crop cycles and local climate. Weekly hours can change based on weather, crop volume, and quality requirements.

Related roles in Agriculture (H-2A focus)

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.