Poultry Farm Worker Jobs in the USA
This page describes the Poultry Farm Worker role category in the United States for international candidates, with a focus on temporary/seasonal agricultural projects (often aligned with H-2A job orders). Exact terms (state, start date, schedule, housing, and pay) depend on the hiring employer and seasonality. CV is required for review.
Compensation snapshot (gross / brutto)
Poultry farm pay varies by state, duties (layers vs. broilers), and whether the role includes additional responsibilities (equipment checks, documentation, team-leading). For H-2A, employers must meet the required wage level for the job location.
| Item | Typical gross band | Operational notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly pay (gross) | $13.00 – $25.00 / hour | State wage floors and job scope drive the offer. Higher pay is more common for more technical, higher-responsibility roles. |
| Common “center” of offers | $16.00 – $19.00 / hour | Many agricultural roles cluster around the high-teens depending on state and demand. |
| H-2A wage rule (high-level) | Must meet the highest required rate | Typically the highest of AEWR / prevailing wage / CBA rate / federal or state minimum wage (as applicable). |
| Pay frequency | Usually weekly or bi-weekly | Exact pay cycle is set by the employer; pay statements should show hours, rate, and deductions. |
What employers screen for in the first 7–10 days
- Biosecurity discipline: consistent hygiene routines, PPE, and controlled movement rules.
- Animal welfare behavior: calm handling, no rough actions, immediate reporting of issues.
- Routine execution: feeding/watering checks, egg tasks (layers), house upkeep without missing steps.
- House awareness: notices ventilation/temperature problems and reports early.
- Reliability: punctual attendance and readiness for shift changes during peak periods.
Typical tasks (real poultry scope)
- Feed and water checks; confirm birds have continuous access and equipment works correctly
- Monitor flock condition: behavior, injuries, mortality; report issues quickly
- Support egg collection, sorting, and packing (layer farms) or production-cycle tasks (broilers)
- Maintain housing conditions: litter management, basic cleaning, and keeping work areas organized
- Assist with biosecurity: controlled entry/exit, sanitation steps, clothing/boot routines
- Support ventilation/temperature routines (role-dependent) and flag abnormal conditions
- Basic records: counts, checks, and task logs (farm-specific)
Requirements (detailed)
Must-have
- English CV (required for review)
- Hygiene compliance: follows biosecurity routines exactly
- Ability to work indoors in dusty/odorous environments and remain productive
- Physical readiness: standing/walking, repetitive motions, handling equipment and supplies
- Reliability: on-time attendance and consistent routine performance
Strong advantages
- Prior poultry experience (broilers or layers) or other livestock/agriculture work
- Comfort with checklists, recordkeeping, and production-cycle routines
- Basic equipment awareness (feed/water lines, ventilation indicators) and early reporting
- Experience working under strict hygiene or food/animal safety rules
Practical “CV proof” employers like
- Type of poultry operation: layers (egg tasks) or broilers (growth cycles)
- House tasks you handled: litter, cleaning routines, egg work, checks, logs
- Shift schedule experience (early starts, weekends, peak workload periods)
Work setting & conditions (USA)
- Environment: indoor poultry houses; dust and odors are common; temperatures vary with ventilation
- Schedule: shift work is common; weekends/holidays may be required due to animal care needs
- Safety focus: PPE, hygiene rules, slip/trip prevention, and careful movement around equipment
- Quality standard: consistency matters—missed steps can impact flock health and production outcomes
- Documentation: many farms track checks and counts; clear logs support performance evaluation
Role story (anti-template module)
To reduce duplicate “template footprints,” this section is generated by a shared category engine and remains stable per page URL. Different pages get different story structure, phrasing, and emphasis—without changing the job meaning.
Poultry farms run on strict routines. The job is not “hard once”—it is “steady every day”: hygiene, checks, feeding/watering control, and consistent house upkeep. Employers value workers who treat biosecurity as a non-negotiable habit, not a suggestion.
Strong candidates are calm, reliable, and systematic. They follow procedures, complete checklists, report issues early, and keep the same standard even when the pace increases during peak periods.
H-2A work conditions (practical overview)
Where roles are filled under H-2A job orders, employers typically must describe conditions in the work contract/job order and follow specific worker-protection rules (high-level summary below).
| Topic | What it usually means in practice |
|---|---|
| Wage rule | Workers must receive at least the highest required rate applicable to the location and job (e.g., AEWR / prevailing / minimum wage as applicable). |
| Three-fourths guarantee | Employers must generally guarantee offering at least 75% of the contract workdays/hours, and pay if short. |
| Housing | Housing is generally provided at no cost to H-2A workers when they cannot reasonably return home the same day (job-specific terms apply). |
| Transport / subsistence | Inbound/outbound travel reimbursements and return transport are typically addressed by contract rules (timing depends on contract progress). |
| Tools & equipment | Required tools/supplies/equipment should be provided at no charge when required for the job. |
Next steps
- Create / upload your CV and keep your phone/email accurate.
- We review CVs for role fit (biosecurity readiness, reliability, relevant farm experience).
- If shortlisted, you proceed to employer interview and documentation steps.
What to add to your CV (fast checklist)
- Broilers or layers (or both), and the type of tasks you performed
- Hygiene/biosecurity routines you followed
- Shift schedule experience (weekends, early starts)
- Any recordkeeping/logging duties
FAQ (anti-template set)
Is poultry farm work mostly indoors or outdoors?
Most poultry-house work is indoors. Conditions include dust and odors, and temperature can change with ventilation and season.
What is the key selection factor for employers?
Biosecurity discipline and reliability. Farms need consistent routines and workers who follow hygiene rules exactly.
Do I need experience with egg collection?
Only for layer farms. If you have egg collection/sorting/packing experience, list it clearly; otherwise, many employers train new workers on-site.
What should I bring up during an interview?
Ask about shift patterns, PPE requirements, hygiene routines, housing (if provided), and how pay is calculated (gross hourly rate, overtime rules if applicable, deductions).
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