Farm Jobs in Texas
Discover agricultural careers across Texas, the nation's leading livestock state with 230,662 farms—more than any other state. From cattle ranches on the High Plains to dairy operations in the Panhandle, cotton fields across the Blacklands, and citrus groves in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas offers unparalleled diversity in a $868 billion agriculture industry.
Major Cities with Farm Jobs:
2 Farm Jobs in Texas
Farm Jobs in Texas
Texas stands as an agricultural giant, ranking 4th nationally in total crop and animal product cash receipts with $32.2 billion in production value (2024). The state operates 230,662 farms across 125.4 million acres—more farms than any other state in the nation. Texas agriculture generates a staggering $868 billion in total economic output, contributing $159.3 billion to state GDP (8.6%) and supporting 2 million direct agricultural jobs, second only to California. The state's agricultural dominance is anchored by livestock: 12 million cattle (nearly double the #2 state Nebraska's 6.25 million), making Texas the undisputed leader in beef production with 40.4% of all state agricultural cash receipts from cattle alone. Texas also ranks #1 nationally in cotton production (5.4 million planted acres), hay production (11.52 million tons annually), and sheep, goats, and mohair. The dairy industry has surged to #3 nationally with 17.1 billion pounds of milk (2024), moving ahead of Idaho, produced by 675,000 cows across 294 dairies. Additional major commodities include poultry (6th nationally), wine grapes (800 wineries generating $24.3 billion economic impact), pecans (80,000 acres), citrus ($84 million in Rio Grande Valley), and grain sorghum. Texas's vast geography—266,807 square miles across 10 distinct agricultural regions—enables production of everything from subtropical citrus to High Plains irrigated crops, with rainfall ranging from 8 inches in far west Texas to 56 inches in the east.
Why Work on Texas Farms?
Working on Texas farms offers competitive wages and diverse opportunities across the nation's most geographically varied agricultural landscape. Farm workers earn an average of $17.28/hour, with equipment operators averaging $19.07/hour (up 3%+ from 2023), supervisors earning $26.83/hour (up 4.8%), and farm managers commanding $30.70/hour (up 6.6% from 2023). The state's 2 million direct agricultural jobs span year-round cattle ranching (12 million head statewide), dairy operations (675,000 cows requiring daily care), and seasonal opportunities in cotton harvest (5.4 million acres), grain harvest, wine grape picking (excellent 2024 harvest), and winter vegetable production in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas leads the nation in organic agriculture growth, with organic producers more than doubling since 2016 to 385 certified operations generating $424 million in sales across 246,000 acres. The regenerative agriculture movement is gaining momentum with support from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, offering opportunities in sustainable soil health practices. With 569 active agriculture job postings (November 2024) and pervasive farm worker shortages, demand remains strong. Texas provides substantial workforce support through the Texas Workforce Commission's dedicated agricultural services, migrant and seasonal farmworker resources, and world-class agricultural education through Texas A&M University and extension programs statewide. The state's agricultural heritage runs deep, from historic cattle drives to family farms passing through generations, creating a rich culture for those passionate about ranching and farming.
Types of Farms in Texas
Texas agriculture offers exceptional diversity across 10 distinct regions. Cattle ranches dominate statewide with 12 million head, particularly concentrated on the High Plains and in Central Texas, producing 40.4% of state agricultural receipts with operations ranging from cow-calf to feedlot finishing. Dairy operations have exploded in the Texas Panhandle, where 8 of the top 10 milk-producing counties are located, including Castro County (#1 in state) and neighboring Deaf Smith, Hartley, Lamb, Hale, Bailey, and Moore counties—collectively producing 17.1 billion pounds annually at $20.55 per hundredweight. Cotton farms blanket the High Plains (led by Lubbock County, the nation's largest cotton producer), Blackland Prairies (25 counties from Dallas to San Antonio), and Coastal Plains around Corpus Christi, with 5.4 million planted acres harvested September through November. The High Plains produces 9 of Texas's top 10 most agriculturally productive counties, featuring irrigated operations growing corn (Parmer, Castro, Hale, Lamb, Deaf Smith counties), grain sorghum, wheat (5.9 million acres statewide), and wine grapes (80-85% of state's production across 4,000 acres supporting 800 wineries). The Rio Grande Valley offers year-round subtropical agriculture with citrus operations ($84 million, 146,000 tons), winter vegetables (onions, carrots, cabbage), and sugarcane across rich delta soils. Hay operations lead the nation with 4.9 million acres producing 11.52 million tons (up 37% in 2024). Additional operations include poultry farms (6th nationally), pecan groves (80,000 acres, 28-32 million pounds), horticulture facilities ($860 million across 600,000 acres), grain sorghum in Coastal Bend (Nueces County alone produces 14-15% of state total), and 385 organic operations spanning peanuts, cotton, rice, wheat, and dairy.
Getting Started with Farm Work in Texas
Entry-level farm positions in Texas are available year-round due to the state's diverse agricultural sectors and geographic range. Year-round opportunities exist in cattle ranching (12 million head requiring constant care), dairy operations (675,000 cows milked daily at 294 dairies), poultry farms, livestock operations, greenhouse facilities, and farm maintenance positions. Seasonal hiring peaks during cotton harvest (September-November across 5.4 million acres), grain harvest (June-August in Coastal Bend), wine grape harvest (early season in 2024 with excellent quality), hay season (spring and summer, 11.52 million tons produced), winter vegetable harvest in Rio Grande Valley, and citrus season. No specific certifications are required for entry-level positions, though CDL licenses significantly expand opportunities in hauling operations, and pesticide applicator licenses add value for crop production roles. Equipment operation experience (tractors, combines, irrigation systems) is highly valued, with operators earning $19.07/hour average. The Texas Panhandle offers the highest concentration of top agricultural counties: Parmer, Castro, Deaf Smith, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Lamb, Sherman, and Swisher counties rank among the state's most productive. Other major employment centers include Lubbock (cotton capital), Amarillo (Panhandle hub for cattle and dairy), Corpus Christi (Coastal Bend grain sorghum), and the Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville for citrus and vegetables). The H-2A program provides pathways for seasonal workers, with Texas identified as a high-need state receiving $6.5 million in available grants (2024). Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers training and resources, while the Texas Workforce Commission provides dedicated agricultural workforce services. With 569 active job postings and pervasive labor shortages, opportunities span from entry-level ranch hands ($17.28/hour) to farm managers ($30.70/hour).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are farm worker wages in Texas?
Texas farm workers earn competitive wages across multiple agricultural sectors. General farm laborers and ranch hands average $17.28/hour (approximately $35,942 annually for full-time work), closely matching the national average of $17.23/hour. Equipment operators earn higher wages at $19.07/hour, representing a more than 3% increase from 2023. Supervisory positions command $26.83/hour (up 4.8% from 2023), while farm managers and agricultural managers earn $30.70/hour (up 6.6% from 2023), equivalent to approximately $63,856 annually. H-2A program workers in Texas earn between $15.00-$15.99/hour under the 2024 Adverse Effect Wage Rate, with the FY 2025 national range spanning $14.83 to $22.23. Wage growth continues upward, with five out of six nonsupervisory agricultural occupations seeing wages more than 3% higher in 2024 than 2023. Many positions include additional benefits such as housing (especially for H-2A workers and dairy farm employees), meals during busy seasons, equipment provision, and overtime opportunities during peak harvest periods. Specialized skills like CDL licenses, organic farming knowledge, irrigation management, and precision agriculture experience can significantly increase earning potential. The 2025 forecast projects over $53 billion in agricultural labor costs nationally, indicating continued upward wage pressure.
Why is Texas the #1 cattle state?
Texas dominates U.S. cattle production through a unique combination of scale, geography, and heritage. The state maintains 12 million cattle—nearly double the #2 state Nebraska's 6.25 million head—with 4.02 million beef cattle specifically (growing by 60,000 in 2024). Cattle and calves represent 40.4% of all Texas agricultural cash receipts and 17% of total U.S. cattle sales, making Texas the biggest beef-producing state in the country. The state's vast geography provides ideal ranching conditions: 125.4 million acres of farmland across diverse climates from the humid east (56 inches rainfall) to arid west (8 inches), plus 10 distinct agricultural regions optimized for different cattle operations. The High Plains and Panhandle support large-scale feedlot operations, Central Texas offers excellent cow-calf ranching with mixed grasslands, and South Texas features year-round grazing on hardy breeds like Brahman. Texas originated the Santa Gertrudis breed and maintains historic ranching culture dating to legendary cattle drives. Current calf prices hit record highs at $5.25/lb for 300-400 lb calves and $4.70/lb for 500-600 lb animals, reflecting strong market demand. The state's cattle industry creates massive employment opportunities across ranching, feedlot operations, veterinary services, auction houses, and processing facilities. With deep cultural significance, generational family ranches, world-class agricultural research at Texas A&M, and unmatched scale, Texas's cattle dominance remains unchallenged.
Can I find year-round farm work in Texas?
Yes! Texas offers extensive year-round farm employment across multiple sectors. Cattle ranching provides the most consistent opportunities with 12 million head requiring daily care—from feeding and health monitoring to calving assistance and pasture management across all seasons. Dairy operations employ workers year-round at 294 dairies with 675,000 cows requiring twice-daily milking, feeding, facility maintenance, and calf care. The state's geographic diversity enables continuous work: while the High Plains focuses on seasonal cotton and grain, the Rio Grande Valley produces year-round with its subtropical climate (citrus, winter vegetables). Greenhouse and horticulture facilities ($860 million industry across 600,000 acres) operate continuously. Poultry operations (6th nationally) need consistent labor for production, processing, and management. Organic farms (385 operations, $424 million sales) often provide stable employment. For those preferring seasonal variety, Texas offers progression: winter citrus harvest in Rio Grande Valley → spring planting and hay season statewide → summer grain harvest in Coastal Bend → fall cotton harvest across High Plains and Blacklands → wine grape harvest (excellent 2024 season). Farm management, equipment operation, irrigation maintenance, and livestock specialist positions remain in demand across all months. With 2 million direct agricultural jobs, 569 active job postings (November 2024), and pervasive labor shortages, year-round opportunities are readily available for committed workers willing to work in livestock operations, diversified farms, or follow seasonal harvests across the state's 266,807 square miles.
What makes Texas agriculture so regionally diverse?
Texas agriculture spans 10 distinct regions across 266,807 square miles (second only to Alaska), creating unparalleled diversity. The High Plains/Panhandle region contains 9 of the state's top 10 most productive agricultural counties—Parmer, Castro, Deaf Smith, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Lamb, Sherman, and Swisher—specializing in irrigated cotton (Lubbock County is the nation's largest producer), corn, dairy (8 of top 10 milk-producing counties), wine grapes (80-85% of state production), and grain. The Blackland Prairies (25 counties from Dallas to San Antonio) focus on cotton, wheat, corn, and grain sorghum across 33-39 inches annual rainfall. The Rio Grande Valley is Texas's only subtropical region, producing citrus ($84 million, 146,000 tons), winter vegetables, and sugarcane in rich delta soils with minimal freezing. The Coastal Bend (Corpus Christi area) leads in grain sorghum, with Nueces County alone producing 14-15% of state total, plus cotton, rice, and soybeans across 27-48 inches rainfall. East Texas features the largest variety of agricultural industries across Pineywoods, Gulf Coast, and large urban centers. Climate extremes range from 8 inches rainfall in far west to 56 inches in east. This diversity stems from Texas's crossroads location where eastern habitats meet western, and southern subtropical meets northern temperate zones. Each region optimizes for specific commodities based on soil type, water availability, climate, and elevation, creating employment opportunities in everything from subtropical citrus to High Plains irrigated crops to Central Texas cattle ranching—all within one state.
What housing and benefits are available for Texas farm workers?
Texas farm worker housing and benefits vary significantly by employment type and region, though the state faces a severe housing shortage with only 1,300 units of farm labor housing for 360,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers (less than 1% of demand). H-2A workers receive federally mandated benefits including free employer-provided housing meeting federal standards, transportation to/from worksites and home countries, and specified wages ($15.00-$15.99/hour in Texas for 2024). Many dairy farms provide housing even when not required, recognizing the need to attract and retain skilled workers for year-round milking operations. Ranch operations commonly offer on-site or near-farm housing, particularly for livestock managers and full-time ranch hands. USDA Section 514/516 programs provide low-interest loans for affordable rental housing development, though supply remains critically limited. The Department of Labor's National Farmworker Jobs Program designates Texas as a high-need state with $6.5 million in available grants (2024) for housing and workforce services. Common benefits beyond housing include meals (especially during busy seasons on ranches), equipment and tools provision, flexible seasonal schedules, weekend and overtime opportunities during peak harvests (cotton, grain, hay), and access to farm products at some operations. The Texas Workforce Commission provides dedicated agricultural workforce services and migrant/seasonal farmworker resources. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers education and training. Some progressive operations provide learning opportunities, apprenticeships, and career advancement paths. However, housing challenges persist with limited affordable options in rural areas, long waiting lists for subsidized units, and seasonal workers facing housing insecurity—making employer-provided housing a significant benefit when available.
What opportunities exist in Texas organic and regenerative agriculture?
Texas organic agriculture has experienced explosive growth, with organic producers more than doubling since 2016. The state now operates 385 certified organic crop operations and 31 certified organic livestock operations, generating $424 million in annual organic sales across 246,000 certified acres and creating 8,320 jobs. Major organic commodities include peanuts, cotton, rice, wheat, milo (grain sorghum), corn, and dairy. This growth positions Texas as a national leader in organic production, particularly for traditionally conventional crops like cotton (where Texas is #1 conventionally) now transitioning to organic methods. Regenerative agriculture is gaining significant momentum after decades of conventional practices, supported by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's educational programs focused on soil health, no-till principles, cover cropping, and climate change mitigation. General Mills pledged to support 1 million acres of regenerative agriculture by 2030, creating market demand and technical assistance for Texas farmers. Regenerative practices show particular promise for drought resilience—critical in a state where rainfall ranges from 8 to 56 inches annually and water availability varies dramatically. The wine industry (800 wineries, $24.3 billion economic impact) increasingly incorporates organic viticulture, with Texas producing the world's largest supply of blanc du bois grapes. Employment opportunities in organic and regenerative operations typically offer premium wages, comprehensive training in sustainable practices, pathways to certification knowledge, and long-term employment relationships. Workers gain valuable skills in integrated pest management, composting, cover crop management, soil testing, and organic certification compliance—expertise increasingly demanded as consumer preferences shift toward sustainably produced food and agriculture adapts to climate challenges.