Breaking Down Different Types of Farm Jobs in America
Farm jobs in America are often misunderstood as unskilled or short-term work. In reality, American agriculture relies heavily on trained, experienced, skilled, and dependable workers to operate equipment, drive trucks, cultivate and harvest crops, tend to livestock, and help manage daily farm operations.
Through the H-2A visa program, qualified workers from South Africa can access legal, seasonal agricultural employment in the United States. Many of the H2A jobs for South Africans are skilled positions that offer better pay, more responsibility, and opportunities to be rehired year after year on seasonal contracts.
This article breaks down the types of agricultural jobs in America available through the H-2A program and explains why training and verified skills matter when you’re trying to land one of these competitive positions.
What are H2A agricultural jobs?
H2A jobs are legal agricultural jobs in the United States offered to foreign workers when U.S. employers cannot find enough local or domestic labor to fill their open jobs. These jobs are seasonal, regulated by the U.S. government, and include protections such as approved housing, hours guarantees, and transportation, just to name a few. H2A agricultural jobs pay American wages, and when you consider the exchange rate between the dollar and the rand, these are some of the best farm jobs available to South Africans. H2A agricultural jobs provide:
Legal employment in the U.S.
Clearly defined job roles and expectations
An opportunity to build experience with American employers
The potential for repeat contracts every season when performance is strong
Not all H2A agricultural jobs in the U.S. are the same. Although all H2A jobs are related to agriculture, these jobs vary depending on an employer’s needs, job description, and job code.
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Different types of H2A farm jobs in America
There are many different types of farm jobs available under the H2A program in America. H2A jobs are classified using job codes, also called SOC codes. However, you’ll find that 6 ‘main’ farm jobs are most prevalent under the H2A visa program:
Graders and sorters, agricultural products (code: 45-2041)
Agricultural equipment operators (code: 45-2091)
Farmworkers and laborers, nursery, crop, and greenhouse (code: 45-2092)
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals (code: 45-2093)
Packers and packagers, hand (code: 53-7064)
Agricultural workers, all other (code: 45-2099)
These codes tell you what to expect from your H2A job. Similarly, there are a few alternative job codes that we commonly see in the H2A program, especially through our partner USA Farm Labor. Alternative or secondary farm jobs oftentimes require more skills, knowledge, and experience than some of the jobs listed above. The good news is they tend to pay a higher wage. Examples of alternative H2A jobs include:
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (code: 53-3032)
Construction laborers (code: 47-2061)
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians (code: 49-3041)
These jobs require additional skills, H2A job training, and hands-on experience before most American employers will even consider interviewing you, not to mention confidently hiring you to work on a seasonal contract. Let’s break down a few of these jobs and take a look at the skills employers are looking for in their workers:
Agricultural equipment operators: You’ll be expected to have first-hand working knowledge of modern American farm equipment and machinery, including John Deere tractors, semi trucks, and working with various tractor attachments and implements such as sprayers and tillers. This is one of the most common H2A jobs for skilled South African farmworkers.
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquaculture animals: These jobs expect you to have an extremely diverse skillset. Workers need experience working with crops and/or livestock, most times both, and you’ll need to be up to American standards.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers: These jobs center around driving semi trucks, so H2A job seekers need experience and training on how to maneuver semis around a farm environment, as well as out on American roads. Job seekers need a working knowledge of how to drive across different terrains, park in various positions, connect and disconnect trailers, and conduct pre and post-trip inspections.
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians: These jobs center around repairing, maintaining, and servicing agricultural equipment. Job seekers need to be trained in mechanical repair on modern farm equipment, including trucks, tractors, various attachments, and combine harvesters.
American employers clearly need skilled, experienced workers to fill important roles in and around their farm or agribusiness. The skills that are in highest demand revolve around driving trucks and operating expensive farm equipment, and many times, a combination of both.
Gain world-class skills with H2A jobs training
Without the proper skills, training, and experience, H2A job seekers will continue to struggle to get an H2A job offer. Don’t be left on the sidelines again this year without a job offer. Our 2-day and 4-day training courses give you a noticeable edge over the competition.
