Back to Search
Add to favorites
Career Profile

Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

What they do:

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.

Also Called:

Farm Laborer, Farmer, Field Irrigation Worker, Gardener, Greenhouse Worker, Grower, Harvester, Nursery Worker, Orchard Worker, Picker, Farm Laborer, Farmer, Field Irrigation Worker, Gardener, Greenhouse Worker, Grower, Harvester, Nursery Worker, Orchard Worker, Picker

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$26,580
Starting Salary (2025)
$34,400
Median Salary (2025)
-3.3%
Projected Job Growth
650
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Cooperation
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative

What key skills are needed for this job?

Speaking
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Time Management
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness

Expected Knowledge

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Food Production

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Common Activities

Performing General Physical Activities

Performing physical 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.

Handling and Moving Objects

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

Getting Information

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

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 1

Little or No Preparation Needed

Education

Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Experience

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Less than high school 39%
  • High school diploma 29%
  • Bachelor's degree 15%
  • Some college 5%
  • Master's degree 5%
  • Other 7%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Add Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse to your favorites?

Add to favorites
Back to Search  

More Info

Career-and-Transfer-Center logo

Grayson College Career and Transfer Center

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
wcidwtm logo

Explore 106 major profiles, common career paths and strategies to maximize opportunities.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
mynextmove-p-500 logo

Search career information in detail by keywords, browse by industry, or via your interests.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
careeronestop logo

Explore career options, find training and education, plan for your job search and find local help and services.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
blsooh logo

The Occupational Outlook Handbook - browse occupations and resources and explore occupation groups.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
onet logo

The nation's primary source of occupational information. Complete data and information breakdowns for all careers.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.