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Farm Worker Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Enza Zaden

CA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

CROP WORKER Location: San Juan Bautista, California Employment Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt Key Responsibilities As a Crop Worker, you will play a vital role and your mail duties will include: * Care ...

Enza Zaden

Crop Worker

San Juan Bautista, CA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

CROP WORKER Location: San Juan Bautista, California Employment Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt Key Responsibilities As a Crop Worker, you will play a vital role and your mail duties will include: * Care ...

UFW Foundation

Staff Attorney, Immigration

Fresno, CA · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

We've mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay, and ...

UFW Foundation

Staff Attorney, Immigration

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

We've mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay, and ...

UFW Foundation

Staff Attorney, Immigration

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

We've mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay, and ...

UFW Foundation

Staff Attorney, Immigration

Salinas, CA · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

We've mobilized farm workers and their organizations across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay, and ...

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All JobsFarm Worker JobsFarm Worker Jobs in California

Farm Worker information

See California salary details

$10

$17

$25

How much do farm worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for farm worker in California is $17.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a farm worker?

Farm workers are individuals who perform a variety of tasks related to planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops, as well as caring for livestock on farms. Their duties can include operating machinery, irrigating fields, feeding animals, and maintaining farm facilities. Farm workers play a vital role in the agricultural industry by ensuring the production and supply of food and other agricultural products. The work can be physically demanding and often takes place outdoors in various weather conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a farm worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Farm Worker, you need physical stamina, basic agricultural knowledge, and the ability to operate or learn to operate farm machinery, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with tools like tractors, irrigation systems, and safety equipment is typically expected, and some employers may prefer certifications in pesticide use or equipment operation. Dependability, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities ensure efficient, safe, and productive farm operations, which are essential for successful crop or livestock management.

What do farm workers do?

A farm worker is a general title for someone that completes tasks in the agricultural industry. As a farm worker, your responsibilities may involve tending to livestock or crops. If you primarily work with crops, your job duties include irrigating soil, spraying fertilizer and pesticide solutions on fields, and harvesting crops with machinery or by hand. However, if you mainly work with livestock, your job duties include feeding the animals, cleaning their pens and cages, checking for sick or injured animals, administering vaccines and medications, branding livestock for identification, and herding livestock to specific areas.

What are some common challenges farm workers face during peak harvesting seasons?

During peak harvesting seasons, farm workers often experience long hours, physically demanding tasks, and tight deadlines to ensure crops are collected at their freshest. Weather conditions can add unpredictability, requiring flexibility and adaptability from workers. Teamwork and clear communication become especially important, as tasks are often coordinated among several workers to meet production goals efficiently. Despite these challenges, peak seasons also offer opportunities to earn overtime and develop valuable skills in agricultural operations.

What is the difference between Farm Worker vs Farmhand?

AspectFarm WorkerFarmhand
CredentialsTypically no formal certifications requiredUsually no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentOutdoor farms, fields, orchardsOutdoor farms, fields, orchards
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in agriculture, farmingOften used interchangeably with Farm Worker
Job DutiesPlanting, harvesting, basic farm tasksPlanting, harvesting, basic farm tasks

Farm Worker and Farmhand are often used interchangeably, both referring to individuals performing manual labor on farms. While 'Farm Worker' is the more formal term, 'Farmhand' is a common colloquial alternative. Both roles involve similar duties such as planting, harvesting, and general farm maintenance in outdoor agricultural environments, with minimal formal credentials required.

Are farm workers paid well?

Farm workers' wages vary depending on location, experience, and the type of farm work performed. In general, they earn close to the minimum wage, with some earning higher wages through overtime or seasonal work, but overall compensation is often considered modest given the physical demands of the job. Additional skills such as operating machinery or handling specialized crops can influence pay rates.
More about Farm Worker jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Farm Worker jobs in California?

The most popular types of Farm Worker jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Farm Worker jobs in California?

For Farm Worker jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Farm Worker jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Farm Worker jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Farm Worker jobs?

Cities in California with the most Farm Worker job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Farm Worker jobs in CA?

For Farm Worker jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Farm Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Farm Worker job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,831 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Shellfish Farm Worker - Aquaculture

Eureka, CA

Pacific Seafood

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

198th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks

Learn more about Pacific Seafoodexternal

$18 - $19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Description
At Pacific Seafood, we do more than just provide the world with the healthiest proteins on the planet. We are a family-owned, excellence-driven organization committed to being the brand of choice in the marketplace and the employer of choice in the community. We believe in servant leadership, investing in our team members’ personal and professional growth, and rewarding performance. We live by the core values of our Diamond Philosophy: Teamwork, Productivity, Quality, and Excellence—which means consistently doing your best and always striving to do better.
Summary:

A Farm Worker at Pacific Seafood is a key role on our farm team supporting efforts to optimize production and maintain a clean and safe work environment. This position involves harvesting, infrastructure maintenance, farm organization, and equipment operation and is ideal for someone who has physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in various environmental conditions.

Key Responsibilities
Farm Operations: 
  • Participate in seeding operations which include (but are not limited to) putting out lines, disking, and prepping lines for future crops. 
  • Maintenance of rafts, lines, and farm structures 
  • Participate in harvesting activities including sorting, cleaning, and packing mussels for sale. 
  • Adhere to company health and safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment. 
  • Keep accurate records of activities and fill out necessary paperwork. 
  • Handle various types of farm equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts, and harvesting equipment safely and efficiently. 
  • Help with organizing the farm area and cleaning up as needed. 
  • Be able to work safely and efficiently even in adverse weather conditions and on the water. 
  • Manage the growth and harvesting of mussel lines.  
  • Assist with packing operations when necessary in order to meet sales and customer needs.  
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as deemed necessary to support the overall goals and objectives of the position.

What you bring to Pacific Seafood
Education and Experience
  • Required
    • High school diploma or GED
  • Preferred
    • Valid driver’s license.
    • Prior experience with aquaculture farming
    • Bilingual (Spanish and English)
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member:
  • Must be available to work variable shifts, including weekends and holidays.
  • Must be able to watch and react to changing situations, to ensure safety.
  • Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to stand or walk for long periods.
  • Ability to use hands and fingers to carefully complete tasks and skillful actions, making sure to pay close attention to details and accuracy.
  • Ability to read a limited number of two and three-syllable words and recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers.
  • Ability to print and speak simple sentences.
  • Ability to understand and carry out written or oral instructions.
  • Capable of working and communicating in loud environments, while focusing on tasks.
  • Capable of training in using specialized tools and equipment pertinent to operations.
  • Capable of solving simple math equations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Working Conditions:
The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is exposed to:
  • Traditional warehouse and distribution facility environment
  • Large, specialized equipment
  • Large moving equipment
  • High noise level
  • Exposure to cold/freezing temperatures
  • Exposure to hazardous materials
  • Wet environment
  • Safety equipment (hair nets, gloves, smock, etc.)
  • Well-illuminated environment
  • Scents related to the production facility

Benefits
Total Compensation: 

At Pacific Seafood, your base wage is only a portion of your overall compensation package. We invest in our Team Members through a comprehensive and attractive total rewards package, including but not limited to:
  • Health insurance benefits options, including medical, prescription, vision, dental, basic group life and short-term disability.
  • Flexible spending accounts for health flex and dependent care expenses
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan options with generous annual company profit sharing match
  • Paid time off for all regular FT team members, to include sick days and vacation 
  • Employee Assistance Program- Confidential professional counseling, financial, and legal assistance provided at no charge to Team Members and immediate family members
  • Product purchase program
Pacific Seafood is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Pacific Seafood employees say

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