What does a Tree Nursery Worker do in the USA?

Tree nursery work focuses on plant handling and quality: potting and transplanting, spacing and weeding, pruning/training, watering and hose work, grading and bundling, and careful loading for shipping. Tasks vary by nursery type (field, container, greenhouse) and season.

What is a realistic gross hourly pay range?

For H-2A-style job orders, pay must meet the highest applicable wage rule, often at least the state AEWR floor. Current statewide AEWR floors for non-range farm jobs vary by state; many nursery-heavy states are in the mid-to-high teens per hour gross, with some states near $20/hour gross.

Is nursery work hourly or piece rate?

Most nursery roles are hourly, but some tasks (e.g., bundling/tying, sorting, or packing) may use productivity standards. The job order must specify pay method, work standards, and how earnings are calculated.

What contract rules matter most under H-2A?

Typical job offers describe wages, hours, pay frequency, housing, meals or cooking access, transportation rules, and a 75% (three-fourths) work guarantee across the contract period, subject to program rules.

Tree Nursery Worker Jobs in the USA (H-2A) — Gross Pay, Duties & Requirements

What you actually do (nursery reality)

Nurseries operate like a production line: plants move from propagation to containers/field beds, then into spacing and training, then into grading and shipping. Speed matters, but damage-free handling is the rule that protects the product.

Potting & transplanting: correct depth, firming soil, protecting roots
Spacing & layout: align rows/containers; prevent crowding and breakage
Pruning / staking / training: role-dependent, with simple instruction standards
Weeding & bed care: manual cleanup; keeping aisles safe and clear
Grading & bundling: size/quality selection, careful tying and labeling (role-dependent)
Loading for shipping: stable stacks, safe lifting, avoiding crush damage

Quality rule: the best workers protect plants first, then increase speed. Broken leaders, damaged roots, and crushed pots are costly errors.

Gross pay snapshot (brutto)

For H-2A-style job orders, the wage must meet the highest applicable wage rule (often at least the state AEWR floor). Nursery-heavy states frequently sit in the mid-to-high teens per hour gross, with several near $20/hr gross.

Typical nursery-state floors: ~$16.16–$19.97/hr gross

Current national AEWR floor range: ~$14.83–$20.08/hr gross

Next steps

Upload your CV (English) with accurate dates and contact details.
We check nursery fit: pace, care, and outdoor readiness.
If shortlisted, the employer confirms availability and job-order terms.

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Nursery story: the shipping window decides the pace

Many nurseries have “shipping days” where everything accelerates: grading, bundling, staging, and loading. Reliability and calm repetition under pressure matter more than one-time speed. Employers typically value workers who keep quality steady even late in the shift.

Your CV performs best when it includes tasks like potting/transplanting, packing, sorting/grading, or any work with quality checks and repetitive routines.

Nursery cycle (how work changes by season)

1

Propagation
Tray/seedling handling, watering routines, basic hygiene rules.
2

Potting / transplanting
Root protection, correct depth, steady pace with minimal damage.
3

Spacing / maintenance
Weeding, bed cleanup, moving containers, aisle safety.
4

Grading / staging
Size/quality sorting, labeling, bundling (role-dependent).
5

Shipping support
Careful loading, stable stacks, protecting plants in transit.

Quality standards (simple rules)

Root protection: no dragging, no crushing, no drying out
Damage control: avoid snapped leaders and broken branches
Clean handling: keep soil in pots; reduce spillage and tipping
Correct spacing: reduce rubbing damage and tangled branches
Safe lifting: protect your back and prevent drops

Common fail: rushing loading and crushing pots/branches.

Minimum requirements (detailed)

English CV (mandatory): Must be clear: duties, dates, locations, and contact details.
Physical readiness: Standing, bending, carrying, repetitive arm work. Outdoor + greenhouse conditions are possible.
Pace tolerance: Production rhythm matters, especially during staging and shipping windows.
Attention to detail: Plant handling is quality-sensitive; repeated small mistakes create big losses.
Safety discipline: PPE compliance, hydration discipline, safe lifting and aisle awareness.

Gross pay (brutto) — AEWR floor examples for nursery-heavy states

For many H-2A-style job orders, the state AEWR is the binding wage floor (unless another required wage source is higher). The certified job order is the final authority, but the table below reflects widely-referenced nursery states.

State (examples)	AEWR floor (USD/hour gross)	Practical note
California (CA)	$19.97 gross	Large nurseries often enforce strict grading and damage-control routines.
Oregon (OR)	$19.82 gross	Container work + outdoor beds; pace rises during staging/shipping.
Washington (WA)	$19.82 gross	Quality and careful handling are emphasized; mixed greenhouse/outdoor possible.
North Carolina (NC)	$16.16 gross	Common mix: potting, spacing, maintenance, and loading support.
Florida (FL)	$16.23 gross	Heat readiness, hydration discipline, and PPE compliance are critical.
Georgia (GA)	$16.08 gross	Production rhythm matters; employers value reliability and attendance.
Virginia (VA)	$16.16 gross	Nursery work may rotate between beds, container areas, and staging lanes.
Tennessee (TN)	$15.87 gross	Roles may include basic packing and yard organization during peak periods.

Important: H-2A employers must pay at least the highest applicable wage (AEWR, prevailing wage if available, CBA wage, federal/state minimum wage, or any other required wage source). Treat the certified job order as final for wage, hours, and deductions.

Short candidate portrait (best-fit profile)

You succeed if you are

Careful with hands and pace
Comfortable with repetition
Reliable in attendance and timing

You will like this role if

You prefer structured routines
You can follow simple quality rules
You work well in teams and lanes

You may struggle if

You rush and damage plants
You avoid repetitive tasks
You dislike outdoor weather variability

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Current U.S. work conditions (H-2A-style contract — practical summary)

Conditions depend on the employer and certified job order, but these are common pillars: stated wage and hours, pay frequency, housing rules, meals or cooking access, transportation rules, and the work guarantee (three-fourths rule).

Housing

Typically employer-provided under H-2A-style offers
Shared rooms are common; inspections and house rules apply
Cleanliness and safety rules are enforced

Pay & records

Hourly gross pay is common for nursery work
Payroll statements reflect hours and authorized deductions
Peak periods may increase scheduled hours

Guarantees & transport

Offers commonly include the 75% (three-fourths) work guarantee
Transportation handling follows contract rules
Work schedules may shift due to weather and shipping timelines

Nursery safety reality: most issues come from rushed lifting, cluttered aisles, hose trips, and loading pressure. The safest workers keep lanes clear and lift consistently.

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FAQ (Tree Nursery Worker — USA)

Do I need plant experience to apply?

Not always. Many nurseries train reliable workers. What matters most is careful handling, pace tolerance, and the ability to follow quality rules consistently.

Is this job mostly greenhouse or outdoors?

It depends on the nursery. Some jobs rotate between greenhouse propagation areas and outdoor container yards or field beds. Your job order defines the environment.

What is the most important skill for this role?

Damage-free repetition. Employers prefer workers who handle plants carefully for long periods and keep quality stable even when the pace increases.

Can the role include packing and loading?

Yes. Many nursery jobs include staging, bundling, labeling, palletizing, and loading support during shipping windows. These duties must be listed in the job description.

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Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

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