What does a Vegetable Farm Worker typically do in the USA?

Common duties include hand-harvesting vegetables, sorting and packing produce, planting or transplanting, weeding/thinning, basic field sanitation, and following food-safety rules. Tasks vary by crop, season, and employer.

How is pay set for H-2A vegetable farm roles (gross)?

H-2A employers must pay at least the highest applicable wage rate (AEWR, prevailing wage, collective bargaining rate, or federal/state minimum wage). Many vegetable roles are paid hourly; some employers also use piece-rate, but total earnings must meet legal minimums.

Do H-2A vegetable farm jobs include housing?

For H-2A roles, if a worker cannot reasonably return home the same day, the employer typically provides approved housing at no cost and transportation between housing and the worksite.

How many hours per week are typical during peak harvest?

Vegetable seasons can run long days when crops are ready. A common pattern is 35–60 hours per week depending on weather, crop readiness, and local rules. Your job order defines expected daily and weekly hours.

Do I need experience and English?

Many employers accept entry-level candidates if they can perform physical work safely and follow instructions. Basic work-English is helpful for safety briefings and teamwork, but exact language expectations vary by crew and site.

Why is a CV required to apply?

A CV helps the employer quickly confirm your availability, physical readiness, farm or outdoor experience (if any), and contact details. Candidates without a CV are not reviewed.

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Vegetable Farm Worker

Vegetable harvest seasons move fast: when the crop is ready, the team works with focus and routine. This page explains what employers typically expect for Vegetable Farm Worker roles in the United States (H-2A focus). Exact location, crop type, schedule, housing setup, and start dates depend on the employer and season. 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 Last updated: —

Gross pay floor

$14.83–$20.08/hr

AEWR range by state

All pay figures on this page are gross (before taxes/withholdings). Some employers pay above these floors.

Schedule reality

35–60 hrs/week

peak weeks vary

Weather and crop readiness can change daily start times and weekly hours. Your job order defines the expected workday.

What makes candidates successful

Employers select people who are steady, safe, and consistent: show up on time, follow hygiene rules, protect the crop, and keep a reliable pace. This is not “one hard day”; it is repeatable physical work over a season.

Typical tasks (role-dependent)

Harvest & field handling: Hand-picking vegetables, cutting, bunching, and careful placement to reduce bruising and waste.
Crop care: Weeding, thinning, tying, basic irrigation support, and field sanitation as instructed by supervisors.
Sorting & packing: Quality checks, grading, boxing or binning, labeling, and keeping packing areas clean and organized.
Food safety & hygiene: Following site rules (handwashing, glove use, illness reporting) and protecting produce from contamination.

Note: tools and machinery exposure varies. Some farms use knives, carts, or simple conveyors; others stay fully hand-harvest.

Requirements (detailed, practical)

Must-have

CV in English with correct phone/email and your availability dates.
Seasonal readiness: you can work outdoors in heat, wind, dust, or rain (role-dependent).
Physical capacity: repeated bending/stooping, steady walking, lifting and carrying as required.
Safety compliance: you follow hygiene rules and site instructions without shortcuts.
Schedule flexibility: start times can be early; hours can increase during peak harvest.

Helpful (improves selection chances)

Any farm/outdoor experience (harvest, packing, landscaping, warehouse, production).
Comfort with pace metrics (targets for boxes/crates, rows, quality thresholds).
Basic tool handling (knives/clippers) and care for equipment if assigned.
Team leadership potential (crew lead support, translating, training newcomers).
Strong consistency across long contract periods (not just “first week energy”).

Employers may add role-specific checks (e.g., medical fitness, driving eligibility, or crop-specific experience) depending on state rules and site policy.

Pay (gross) & hours — what is “realistic”

For H-2A crop/field roles, wages are typically anchored to the AEWR floor (and must meet the highest applicable wage rule). Below is the gross hourly pay-floor range commonly seen across U.S. states for the current AEWR table.

Pay item	Typical gross range	Notes
Hourly pay floor (AEWR by state)	$14.83–$20.08/hr	Statewide AEWR floor range; employers may pay higher.
Common pay format	Hourly / sometimes piece-rate	Piece-rate is role-specific; total must meet legal minimums.
Weekly hours (seasonal)	35–60 hrs/week	Peak harvest can extend hours; weather can reduce hours.

Examples from the same AEWR table (gross): lower-floor states are often around $14.83/hr (e.g., AR/LA/MS), while higher-floor states include $19.97/hr (CA) and $20.08/hr (HI).

Work conditions you should expect (H-2A focus)

Housing: typically provided at no cost when you cannot return home the same day (setups vary by employer).
Transport: employer-provided daily transport between housing and the worksite is common; travel reimbursement rules apply by contract milestones.
Tools & equipment: required tools/supplies are typically provided at no cost.
Insurance: workers’ compensation is typically in place for covered injuries.
Fees: workers should not be charged for employer’s labor-certification-related costs.

This is informational and not legal advice. Your specific job order and employer policy define exact terms.

A simple “day in the field” story (how the work actually feels)

A good vegetable crew runs like a rhythm: quick briefing, steady rows, and clean handling. Early hours can be cooler; pace increases once quality expectations are clear. Breaks matter—hydration and safe lifting protect your season. The best workers are not the fastest for one hour; they are consistent for many weeks.

Start

Check-in, crew instructions, hygiene reminders, and a clear target for the day (rows, bins, quality grade).

Peak

Harvest and packing are time-sensitive. Clean work and careful handling reduce waste and protect pay performance.

Finish

End-of-shift cleanup, tool return (if used), and quick confirmation of next-day start time. Crop readiness can change plans fast.

How the process works (clear steps)

Upload your CV
English CV is required. Include availability, experience (if any), and contact details.
Role fit screening
We review physical readiness, schedule match, and basic requirements for vegetable field roles.
Project availability
We confirm which farms/sites have open slots for your timing and profile.
Employer decision
Shortlisted candidates proceed to employer confirmation and documentation steps.

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FAQ (unique for this role)

Is this role suitable if I have no farm experience?

Often yes. Employers frequently accept entry-level candidates who can work safely, follow hygiene rules, and keep a consistent pace. Any outdoor/production experience helps.

Is pay hourly or piece-rate?

Many vegetable roles are hourly. Some farms use piece-rate for certain crops or tasks. In either case, earnings must meet required wage floors and contract rules.

What is the biggest reason candidates fail on-site?

Inconsistent attendance or ignoring safety/hygiene rules. Vegetable operations require repeatable effort for weeks, not short bursts.

What should my CV emphasize for vegetable farm roles?

Availability dates, physical readiness, any harvest/packing/warehouse work, reliability, and basic language skills for safety instructions. Keep contact details accurate.

Can weekly hours drop?

Yes. Rain, heat advisories, and crop timing can reduce hours. Contract rules (including guaranteed-hours concepts in some programs) depend on the job order.

Do I need to pay fees for the job offer itself?

Your specific process depends on the employer and contract path. In regulated programs, workers generally should not be charged for employer-side certification-related costs.

Still unsure? Upload your CV and ask one concrete question (start date, crop type, or preferred state).

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.