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Duties and working conditions vary widely, from working in greenhouses, to producing crops and raising livestock outdoors, to inspecting agricultural products in plants. Most workers learn through short-term on-the-job training; agricultural inspectors need work experience or a college degree in a related field. Most farmworkers receive low pay and often must perform strenuous work outdoors in all kinds of weather, but many prefer to work and live in a rural area. Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average.
The duties of farmworkers who perform outdoor labor are related to the work of fishers and operators of fishing vessels; forest, conservation, and logging workers; and grounds maintenance workers. Farmworkers who work with farm and ranch animals perform work related to that of animal care and service workers.
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Agricultural workers held about 795,000 jobs in 2002. Of these, farmworkers were the most numerous, holding 670,000 jobs. Graders and sorters held 49,000 jobs, agricultural inspectors 16,000 jobs, and agricultural equipment operators 61,000 jobs. Approximately 69 percent of all agricultural workers worked for crop and livestock producers, while almost 5 percent worked for agricultural service providers, mostly farm labor contractors.
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Working conditions for agricultural workers vary widely. Much of the work of farmworkers and laborers on farms and ranches takes place outdoors in all kinds of weather and is physical in nature. Harvesting fruits and vegetables, for example, may require much bending, stooping, and lifting. Workers may lack adequate sanitation facilities while working in the field, and their drinking water may be limited. The year-round nature of much livestock production work means that ranch workers must be out in the heat of summer, as well as the cold of winter. While some of these workers enjoy the day-to-day variability of the work, the rural setting, working on the land, and raising animals, the work hours are generally uneven and often long; work cannot be delayed when crops must be planted and harvested or when animals must be sheltered and fed. Weekend work is common, and farmworkers may work a 6- or 7-day week during planting and harvesting seasons. Because much of the work is seasonal in nature, many workers also obtain other jobs during slow seasons. Migrant farmworkers, who move from location to location as crops ripen, live an unsettled lifestyle, which can be stressful.
Work also is seasonal for farmworkers in nurseries; spring and summer are the busiest times of the year. Greenhouse workers enjoy relatively comfortable working conditions while tending to plants indoors. However, during the busy seasons, when landscape contractors need plants, work schedules may be more demanding, requiring weekend work. Moreover, the transition from warm weather to cold weather means that nursery workers might have to work overtime with little notice given, in order to move plants indoors in case of a frost.
Federal meat inspectors may work in highly mechanized plants or with poultry or livestock in confined areas with extremely cold temperatures and slippery floors. The duties often require working with sharp knives, moderate lifting, and walking or standing for long periods. Many inspectors work long and often irregular hours. Inspectors may find themselves in adversarial roles when the organization or individual being inspected objects to the inspection or its potential consequences. Some inspectors travel frequently to visit farms and processing facilities. Others work at ports, inspecting cargo on the docks or on boats.
Graders and sorters may work with similar products for an entire shift, or they may be assigned a variety of items. They may be on their feet all day and may have to lift heavy objects, whereas others may sit during most of their shift and do little strenuous work. Some graders work in clean, air-conditioned environments, suitable for carrying out controlled tests. Some may work evenings or weekends because of the perishable nature of the products. Overtime may be required to meet production goals.
Farmworkers in crop production risk exposure to pesticides and other hazardous chemicals sprayed on crops or plants. However, exposure is relatively minimal if safety procedures are followed. Those who work on mechanized farms must take precautions to avoid injury when working with tools and heavy equipment. Those who work directly with animals risk being bitten or kicked.
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Median hourly earnings of the more numerous farmworkers in crops, nurseries, and greenhouses were $7.24 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.85 and $8.37 an hour, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.24 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $10.32.
Median hourly earnings for farmworkers who work with livestock were $8.22. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.98 and $10.32 an hour, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.27 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $13.01.
Median hourly earnings of graders and sorters of agricultural products were $7.67 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.88 and $9.30. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.22, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $11.80.
Median hourly earnings of agricultural inspectors were $13.76 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.44 and $18.79. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.10, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.94.
Median hourly earnings for agricultural equipment operators in 2002 were $8.31. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.96 and $10.78. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.11, the highest 10 percent more than $13.89.
Few agricultural workers are members of unions.
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