Surveys

Farm Labor

Farm Labor Survey

The Farm Labor Survey provides the basis for employment and wage estimates for all workers directly hired by U.S. farms and ranches (excluding Alaska) for each of four quarterly reference weeks. The quarterly estimates, in turn, provide the basis for annual average estimates. The National Agricultural Statistics Service publishes quarterly and annual estimates for the United States as a whole, each of 15 multi-state labor regions, and the single-state regions of California, Florida, and Hawaii. NASS conducts the Farm Labor Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The target population includes all farms with $1,000 or more in annual sales value.

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Charts and Maps:
Farm Labor: Wage Rate by Type by Year, US
Wage Rate by Type by Year, US
Farm Labor: Workers by Quarter, US
Workers by Quarter, US
Farm Labor: Wage Rate by Quarter, US
Wage Rate by Quarter, US
Methodology and Quality Measures
May 22, 2024
November 22, 2023
May 24, 2023
November 23, 2022
May 25, 2022
November 24, 2021
May 26, 2021
February 11, 2021
May 28, 2020
November 21, 2019
May 30, 2019
March 29, 2019
March 25, 2019
November 15, 2018
May 17, 2018
November 16, 2017
May 18, 2017
November 17, 2016
May 19, 2016
November 19, 2015
May 21, 2015
November 20, 2014
May 22, 2014
December 5, 2013
May 21, 2013
Program Content

The Farm Labor Survey collects data on the number of hired workers, hours worked, and total wages by type of worker for each quarterly reference week. Since 2014, the survey collects data for field workers, livestock workers, and supervisors/managers by occupational groups based on the relevant “detailed occupation” categories of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ applicable Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The survey collects data for other workers by selected SOC-based occupational groups (with most workers falling into a residual “other worker” group). Prior to 2014, the survey collected data according to the FLS aggregate categories of field workers, livestock workers, supervisors/managers, and other workers.

Uses

The employment and wage estimates published in the Farm Labor report are used by federal, state, and local government agencies; educational institutions; farm organizations; and private sector employers of farm labor. Some examples:

  • U.S. Department of Labor – The annual weighted average hourly wage rate for field and livestock workers combined is currently used as the Adverse Effect Wage Rate in administration of the H-2A Program. The H-2A Program is the provision under the Immigration Reform and Control Act that allows admission of temporary non-immigrant alien farm workers to perform farm labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.
  • USDA – The wage rate data are used to compute a wage rate index, a component of the Parity Index used to compute parity prices of agricultural products. Parity prices are computed as a provision of the Agricultural Adjustment Act as amended.
Frequency

Data for January and April are collected in April, and data for July and October are collected in October, in all states except California, which collects labor data monthly as part of a state program.

Methods

The Farm Labor Survey utilizes a dual frame sample design, including both list frame and area frame components, to ensure coverage of the target population. The total sample size was temporarily increased to approximately 38,000 operations to accommodate a program expansion implemented for mid-years 2019 through 2021. Beginning with the July and October 2021 survey, an optimal sample size of approximately 18,000 operations was derived both in accordance with a program contraction, and adjustment for declining survey participation rates.

Data are collected primarily by mail and computer-assisted telephone interviews from NASS Data Collection Centers for all states except California. Where necessary, procedures were amended to accommodate year 2020 social distancing recommendations.

In California, NASS conducts data collection in cooperation with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), which collects labor data monthly using EDD-specific instruments and follow-up procedures similar to NASS procedures. California EDD publishes monthly state farm labor estimates.

For more information, see the “Farm Labor Methodology and Quality Measures” publications.

Linking the Farm Labor Survey to the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification System

Federal statistical agencies use the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The Farm Labor Survey (FLS) to SOC Crosswalk defines the FLS worker groups in terms of SOC worker categories.

  • The Crosswalk assigns relevant SOC detailed occupations and major groups to the broader FLS categories (field workers, livestock workers, supervisors/managers, and other workers). Most SOC detailed occupations, and all SOC major groups, included in the FLS other workers category are provided for informational purposes; they are not used in data collection.
  • The term “part” on the Crosswalk is used where only a portion of the listed SOC occupation applies to the FLS occupation. In these cases, an FLS subdivision is listed and defined.
Related Programs

June Area

Last Modified: 04/17/2024