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Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry (45-2092)

Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.

At a Glance

Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse earns a median of $35,690/yr with -3.3% projected growth. Typical entry: No formal educational credential. Top skills: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.

Median Annual Wage

$35,690/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

-3.3%

Annual Openings

72

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Skills & Requirements

Abilities (15)

Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

4.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.9
Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

3.9
Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

3.8
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.8
Extent Flexibility

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

3.8
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.6
Static Strength

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

3.6
Rate Control

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

3.5
Stamina

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

3.5
Dynamic Strength

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

3.5
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5
Explosive Strength

The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.

3.4
Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

3.3
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.3

Technology (5)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (16)

Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

4.0
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.9
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.8
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

3.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.6
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

3.6
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.6
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.5
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

3.4
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.3
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.3
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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