Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
SOC Code: 45-2092
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse carries a 16% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $35,690 and -3.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 504,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse (SOC 45-2092) carries an AI exposure score of 16%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 504,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -3.3% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $35,690, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
- 2. Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
- 3. Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
- 4. Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
- 5. Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
- 6. Regulate greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.
- 7. Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease.
- 8. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
- 9. Provide information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.
- 10. Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Operation and Control
- Repairing
Knowledge Areas
- Food Production
- Biology
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse has an AI exposure score of 16%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is projected to decline by 3.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 504,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
Key skills for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse include Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse earn?
The median annual wage for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is $35,690, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
The typical entry-level education for Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse?
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).