Career Trends: Agricultural Workers

Agricultural workers maintain the quality of farms, crops, and livestock by operating machinery and doing physical labor under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.

Agricultural workers usually perform their duties outdoors in all kinds of weather.

Agricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training. A high school diploma is not needed for most jobs as an agricultural worker; however, a high school diploma typically is needed for animal breeders.

Employment of agricultural workers is projected to decline 6 percent from 2014 to 2024. However, agricultural workers should have good job prospects overall. Still, despite international demand for crops and other agricultural products, fewer workers may be needed as agricultural establishments continue to consolidate.

This occupation supported 749,399 jobs in 2012 and 761,700 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.6%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to decrease by 3.3% in 2022 to 724,300 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 744,300, compared with an observed value of 761,700, 2.3% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 6.3% in 2024 to 714,200 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 719,200 jobs for 2024, 0.7% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.