Farm Jobs in Washington
Discover agricultural careers in Washington, the Evergreen State and the nation's #1 producer of apples (70% of U.S. production, $1.99 billion, 171,373 acres), sweet cherries, hops (75% of U.S.), pears, spearmint oil, and blueberries, plus #2 for potatoes ($1.16B) and #4 for wheat. With 32,076 farms generating $14 billion in agricultural production value and employing 160,000+ workers, Washington offers diverse employment in tree fruit orchards (apple harvest creates 40,000 direct jobs), dairy operations ($1.33B), cattle ranches, wine grape vineyards, hop yards, potato farms, and wheat production across the productive Columbia Basin and coastal valleys.
Major Cities with Farm Jobs:
1 Farm Job in Washington
Farm Jobs in Washington
Washington agriculture represents a $14 billion industry (2023 record) employing more than 160,000 people statewide with 32,076 farms generating $12.7 billion in market value of agricultural products sold and $7.6 billion in agricultural exports (up 1.5% in 2024). The state ranks #14 nationally in overall commodity production and holds #1 national rankings for seven commodities: apples ($1.99B in 2023, 70% of U.S. production from 171,373 acres on 2,114 farms, creating $7.5 billion total economic impact and supporting 40,000 direct + 21,000 indirect jobs), sweet cherries (25% exported), hops (75% of U.S. production, $475.6M), pears, spearmint oil, and blueberries. Additional top rankings include #2 for potatoes ($1.16B, record high up 23% from 2022), #2 for asparagus, raspberries, grapes, and apricots, #3 for lentils, and #4 for wheat ($672M). Livestock dominates economic value with cattle/calves at $1.33B (record high, up 30% from 2022, ranked #2 state commodity), milk at $1.33B (#10 nationally, #4 for milk per cow production efficiency), eggs at $405M, plus wine grapes ($309M supporting 30,000 jobs, #2 nationally after California), hay ($867M), and hops. Washington agriculture benefits from exceptional natural advantages: Columbia Basin irrigation enabling intensive crop production in high-desert climate receiving 6-10 inches annual precipitation, Cascade Mountain rain shadow creating dry eastern valleys ideal for apples/cherries, fertile Skagit and Whatcom county soils in western valleys, moderate maritime climate in coastal regions, abundant water from Columbia River system and snowpack, and diverse microclimates from sea-level coastal areas to mountain valleys enabling varied crop production. Employment spans year-round dairy operations, cattle ranching, food processing facilities, and intense seasonal harvest (August-November for apples requiring 40,000 workers, summer cherries, fall potatoes, wheat harvest July-August, hop picking August-September) across eastern Washington orchards and Columbia Basin farms plus western Washington berry farms and Yakima Valley wine country.
Why Work on Washington Farms?
Working on Washington farms offers competitive wages with H-2A AEWR at $19.82 (effective Dec 16, 2024, up from $19.25 in early 2024, representing 28% increase from 2019's $15.03). General farm laborers earn $19-$22/hour. Specialized positions earn more: orchard managers ($30-$45+/hour), harvest crew supervisors during apple season ($25-$35/hour), equipment operators ($22-$30/hour), dairy herd managers ($28-$40+/hour), wine grape vineyard managers ($28-$38+/hour), hop harvest operators ($24-$32/hour). Apple harvest (August-November) creates 40,000 direct jobs with overtime opportunities. Year-round employment in dairy (#10 nationally, 540+ dairy farms), cattle operations, food processing (apple packing, potato processing, dairy products), wine industry (1,050+ wineries), and agricultural services. Educational resources include Washington State University (land-grant with renowned College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences), WSU Extension offices statewide. Quality of life varies: eastern Washington offers affordable rural living ($200K-$350K median homes in agricultural counties), western Washington provides proximity to Seattle/Tacoma while maintaining farm careers, spectacular scenery from Cascade Mountains to Columbia River Gorge, and outdoor recreation. Overtime protections as of Jan 1, 2024 require overtime pay after 40 hours/week for agricultural workers.
Types of Farms in Washington
Apple orchards dominate Washington agriculture (171,373 acres, 2,114 farms, $2B, 70% of U.S.) concentrated in Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, and Columbia Basin—employment includes pruning (winter), thinning (spring), harvest (August-November peak season requiring 40,000 workers), packing houses year-round. Cherry orchards (sweet cherries #1 nationally) require hand-picking June-August. Hop yards (75% of U.S., $475.6M) concentrated in Yakima Valley grow vining hops for brewing industry with August-September harvest using specialized equipment. Potato farms (#2 nationally, $1.16B) in Columbia Basin grow russets and specialty varieties with spring planting and fall harvest. Wheat farms (#4 nationally, $672M) utilize dryland and irrigated production with July-August harvest. Dairy operations (milk $1.33B) with 540+ farms provide year-round milking employment. Cattle ranches (cattle/calves $1.33B) operate cow-calf and feedlot operations. Wine grape vineyards ($309M, 30,000 jobs, #2 nationally) in Yakima Valley, Walla Walla, Columbia Valley grow varieties for 1,050+ wineries with harvest August-October. Berry farms grow blueberries (#1), raspberries (#2), and strawberries with summer harvest. Specialty crops include pears (#1), asparagus (#2), and lentils (#3).
Getting Started with Farm Work in Washington
Entry-level positions peak during harvest seasons—apple harvest (August-November) hires 40,000 workers for picking, sorting, packing at $19-$22/hour with overtime; cherry picking (June-August); hop harvest (August-September); potato harvest (September-October). Year-round positions in dairy milking, cattle feeding, packing houses, food processing. Valuable skills: CDL for hauling produce/milk, orchard equipment operation, food safety certifications, bilingual Spanish/English (large Hispanic workforce in agriculture). Educational resources include WSU Extension offices, community college agricultural programs, WSU Pullman College of AHNRS. Major regions: Yakima Valley (apples, hops, wine grapes), Wenatchee (apples, cherries), Columbia Basin (potatoes, wheat, vegetables), Skagit Valley (berries, vegetables), Walla Walla (wine grapes, wheat). Contact WSU Extension, fruit packing companies, dairy operations, and farm labor contractors for opportunities in Washington's diverse $14B agricultural economy employing 160,000 workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are farm worker wages in Washington?
Washington farm workers earn among the highest agricultural wages nationally with H-2A AEWR at $19.82 (effective Dec 16, 2024, up from $19.25 earlier in 2024), representing 28% increase from 2019's $15.03/hour. General farm laborers earn $19-$22/hour. Specialized positions earn significantly more: orchard managers ($30-$45+/hour), harvest crew supervisors during apple season ($25-$35/hour), equipment operators ($22-$30/hour), dairy herd managers ($28-$40+/hour), wine grape vineyard managers ($28-$38+/hour), and hop harvest operators ($24-$32/hour). New overtime protections effective Jan 1, 2024 require overtime pay after 40 hours/week. Apple harvest season offers substantial earnings with overtime opportunities during peak August-November period.
Why is Washington #1 for apples and what makes them special?
Washington produces 70% of U.S. apples with $1.99 billion production value from 171,373 acres on 2,114 farms, creating $7.5 billion total economic impact and supporting 40,000 direct jobs plus 21,000 indirect jobs. Washington apples dominate due to ideal growing conditions: Cascade Mountain rain shadow creating dry climate reducing disease pressure, warm days and cool nights concentrating sugars and color, abundant irrigation from Columbia River system enabling consistent production, and long growing season with harvest August-November. Leading varieties include Red Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. Approximately 30% of apples are exported annually to global markets. Employment includes year-round orchard work (pruning, thinning, pest management) plus intense harvest season requiring 40,000 workers for picking, sorting, and packing in modern facilities throughout Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, and Columbia Basin regions.
Can I find year-round farm work in Washington?
Yes! Washington offers year-round employment in dairy operations (540+ farms, $1.33B milk production, #10 nationally), cattle ranches, food processing facilities (apple packing houses, potato processing, dairy products manufacturing), wine industry operations, and orchard management. Seasonal employment peaks during apple harvest (August-November, 40,000 workers), cherry harvest (June-August), hop harvest (August-September), potato harvest (September-October), and wheat harvest (July-August). Workers can combine seasonal opportunities—cherry picking summer, apple harvest fall, dairy work winter/spring—or pursue year-round positions in dairy, processing, or farm management. Washington's diverse agriculture from tree fruit to dairy to grain enables employment throughout the year across the state's varied agricultural regions.
What is Washington's hop industry and why does it lead the nation?
Washington produces 75% of the U.S. hop crop ($475.6M value) concentrated in Yakima Valley, which has become the global hop capital. Hops are perennial vines growing 15-20 feet on trellis systems, harvested August-September for cones used in beer brewing providing bitterness, flavor, and aroma. Washington's dominance stems from ideal growing conditions (warm days, cool nights, low humidity reducing disease), abundant irrigation, established infrastructure (drying kilns, pelletizing facilities), farmer expertise spanning generations, and proximity to craft brewing industry. Employment includes year-round vine training, pest management, trellis maintenance, plus intense harvest season using specialized picking machines and processing equipment. The craft brewing boom increased demand for specialty hop varieties (Cascade, Citra, Mosaic) grown under contract for breweries, creating stable markets and premium prices for Washington hop growers.
What skills are most valuable for Washington farm workers?
Most valuable skills reflect Washington's diverse agriculture: CDL Class A for hauling apples, potatoes, milk, grain (essential, earning $24-$32/hour); orchard equipment operation including tractors, sprayers, and harvest platforms; food safety certifications (GAP, GMP) required for produce handling; bilingual Spanish/English abilities (large Hispanic workforce throughout agriculture); forklift operation for warehouse work; wine grape viticulture knowledge for vineyard positions; dairy herd management and milking system operation; and precision agriculture skills with GPS equipment. Educational paths include WSU Extension training programs, community college agricultural programs, and WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences degrees. Workers progress from entry-level harvest ($19-$22/hour) to equipment operator ($22-$30/hour) to supervisor ($25-$35/hour) to farm/orchard manager ($35-$50+/hour) positions.
What is the lifestyle on Washington farms?
Washington farm life varies dramatically between eastern and western regions. Eastern Washington (Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, Columbia Basin) offers dry climate, affordable housing ($200K-$350K median), spectacular mountain views (Cascades, Blue Mountains), outdoor recreation (hiking, fishing, skiing), but summer heat (90-100°F) and sparse rainfall requiring irrigation. Work includes tree fruit orchards (intense harvest season August-November with long days, overtime opportunities), hop yards, potato farms, wheat operations. Western Washington (Skagit Valley, Whatcom County) provides maritime climate, proximity to Seattle/Tacoma urban amenities, lush green landscapes, but higher housing costs and frequent rain. Work rhythms follow seasonal harvest intensity balanced by slower winter periods for perennial crops. Rewards include spectacular Pacific Northwest scenery, outdoor recreation access, diverse agricultural sectors enabling varied careers, competitive wages with overtime protections, and meaningful work in $14 billion industry feeding the nation with premium apples, cherries, hops, potatoes, and agricultural products exported globally.