What is the typical gross hourly pay for Plant Nursery Worker jobs under H-2A?

Pay is state-dependent and must meet the highest applicable required rate (AEWR / prevailing wage / federal or state minimum wage / CBA rate, as applicable). Most H-2A nursery roles fall within a practical gross range of about $14.83–$22.23 per hour depending on the state and job order.

Is housing usually provided for H-2A nursery jobs?

Many H-2A job orders include employer-provided housing for workers who cannot reasonably return home the same day. Housing standards, inspections, and exact conditions depend on the employer and the job order terms.

What tasks does a Plant Nursery Worker do day-to-day?

Common tasks include potting and transplanting, spacing and moving plants, watering and basic irrigation support, pruning and staking, greenhouse bench work, cleaning and organizing work areas, packing and staging orders for shipping, and assisting with plant health checks.

Do I need experience to be considered?

Many employers accept entry-level applicants, but prior nursery, greenhouse, landscaping, farm, or warehouse packing experience improves selection. Reliability, physical stamina, and safe tool handling are often more important than formal education.

How many hours per week are typical for seasonal nursery work?

Seasonal agricultural job orders are typically full-time (often 35+ hours/week) and can increase during peak shipping or planting windows. Actual schedules vary by weather, crop cycle, and employer operations.

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Plant Nursery Worker Jobs in the USA

Plant Nursery Worker roles support greenhouse and outdoor nursery production—potting, transplanting, watering, plant movement, and shipping preparation. Many opportunities are seasonal and aligned with the H-2A agricultural cycle. Exact terms (state, start date, housing, schedule, and pay) depend on the hiring employer and the approved job order. 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 Gross pay reference: $14.83–$22.23/hr (state-dependent) Last updated: January 1, 2026

H-2A seasonal nursery work Greenhouse & outdoor plant handling Potting • Transplanting • Watering Packing • Staging • Loading

Pay snapshot (gross) & what “realistic” means in the USA

This page is a role overview (not a single job posting). Employers set the final rate by state and job order and must comply with required wage rules for the program used.

Indicator	Typical reference (gross)
H-2A state-dependent minimum (AEWR-based reference)	$14.83–$22.23 per hour
Occupation-wide median (nursery/greenhouse/crop labor)	$17.16 per hour
Planning note	Seasonal schedules can fluctuate; peak weeks may be longer during shipping or planting windows.

Practical takeaway: for most nursery roles you should plan around a state-dependent gross hourly rate, and keep your CV specific to plant handling and greenhouse/nursery routines.

Work conditions you should expect (seasonal nursery operations)

Full-time seasonal rhythm: early starts are common; work ramps up around planting and shipping cycles.
Environment: greenhouse heat/humidity or outdoor weather; frequent walking and repetitive handling.
Manual handling: moving flats, pots, trays, soil bags; standing/bending for long periods.
Quality & plant health: spotting damage, keeping varieties separated, careful labeling and staging.
Safety: hydration/heat protocols, glove use, chemical safety rules (when applicable), equipment awareness.

Important: terms like housing, transport, meal arrangements, and reimbursements are defined by the employer’s job order and site policy (and can differ by state).

What you do (nursery production)

Potting & transplanting: Filling containers, transplanting plugs/liners, spacing plants for growth.
Watering & irrigation support: Hand watering, hose use, basic checks of lines and sprinklers as assigned.
Plant presentation: Pruning, staking, cleaning leaves, culling damaged plants, keeping benches tidy.

What you do (greenhouse & shipping)

Moving & staging: Moving flats/trays, consolidating orders, palletizing or cart staging.
Packing & labeling: Label accuracy, variety separation, packing for retail/wholesale shipment.
Housekeeping & sanitation: Cleaning tools/areas to prevent cross-contamination and maintain workflow.

Short candidate portrait

You are a strong fit if you are dependable, comfortable with repetitive plant-handling tasks, and can work safely at pace in warm greenhouse conditions or outdoors. You learn routines quickly, keep labels/varieties organized, and can maintain steady performance during peak shipping weeks.

Strong signals on a CV: greenhouse/nursery work, farm or landscaping experience, packing/staging, irrigation assistance, and consistent attendance history.

Requirements (detailed, employer-ready)

Must-have

CV in English (mandatory for review)
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and use hands continuously during the shift
Comfort lifting and moving nursery items (pots, flats, trays, soil bags) as assigned
Ability to follow safety rules (heat protocols, PPE, equipment awareness)
Reliability: on-time attendance throughout a seasonal contract

Good-to-have (improves selection)

Experience in plant production, greenhouse work, nursery retail/wholesale, or farm labor
Basic knowledge of watering, spacing, pruning, and plant handling to prevent damage
Experience with packing/staging, labeling accuracy, and basic quality control
Basic English for workplace instructions (often helpful, sometimes required by employer)

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

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A “real” role story (how nursery seasons work)

U.S. nurseries run on cycles: propagation and potting build inventory, spacing and grooming prepares product, and shipping windows require fast, careful staging. The same worker may rotate between greenhouse benches, outdoor rows, and packing lanes. Employers value candidates who protect plant quality while keeping pace—especially when orders spike.

If you have done any of the following, say it clearly on your CV: potting/transplanting, hand watering, pruning, staging orders, palletizing carts, labeling accuracy, greenhouse housekeeping.

Next steps (how hiring usually progresses)

Create/upload your CV and keep phone/email correct.
We screen for physical fit, relevant experience, and schedule availability.
If shortlisted, you proceed to employer selection steps and documentation.

Tip: include a short “skills block” on your CV (watering, potting, greenhouse, packing, staging, irrigation support). Clear keywords help faster matching.

FAQ (Plant Nursery Worker — USA)

What gross hourly pay should I expect?

For H-2A seasonal nursery roles, pay is state-dependent and must meet required wage rules for the job order. As a practical reference, many roles fall within a gross range of $14.83–$22.23/hour depending on the state and employer terms.

Is housing provided?

Many H-2A job orders include employer-provided housing for workers who cannot reasonably return to a residence the same day. Housing conditions and exact details depend on the employer’s job order and site policy.

What tasks are most common?

Potting/transplanting, spacing plants, watering, pruning/staking, moving flats and trays, packing and labeling orders, staging carts/pallets, and maintaining clean work zones.

Do I need experience?

Not always—some employers accept entry-level candidates. However, prior nursery/greenhouse/farm/landscaping or packing experience typically improves selection and placement speed.

What makes a CV “strong” for this role?

Specific, concrete tasks and outcomes: “potting 1,000+ liners/day,” “order staging,” “hand watering,” “greenhouse sanitation,” “label accuracy,” “packing for shipment,” and consistent seasonal attendance.

Reminder: CV is required for review. This page summarizes a role category; exact job terms are defined by the hiring employer.

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.