Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Farm Workers Down, Wages Increase 4 Percent

Pennsylvania Ag News Headlines

Farm Workers Down, Wages Increase 4 Percent
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 05/22/2018

In the Northeast Region II (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), there were 27,000 workers hired directly by farms during the week of January 7-13, 2018. Hired workers worked an average of 35.0 hours during the survey week. The average wage rate for all hired workers was $14.19 per hour. Field workers earned an average of $13.57 per hour and livestock worker averaged $12.88 per hour. Field and livestock workers combined earned an average of $13.25 per hour.

In the region, there were 33,000 workers hired directly by farms during the week of April 8-14, 2018. Hired workers worked an average of 36.5 hours during the survey week. The average wage rate for all hired workers was $13.89 per hour. Field workers earned an average of $13.37 per hour and livestock worker averaged $12.68 per hour. Field and livestock combined earned an average of $13.10 per hour.

Nationally, workers hired directly by farm operators numbered 648,000 for the reference week of April 8-14, 2018, down 4 percent from the April 2017 reference week. There were 534,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of January 7 - 13, 2018, up slightly from the January 2017 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $13.72 per hour during the April 2018 reference week, up 4 percent from April 2017. Field workers received an average of $12.72 per hour, up 4 percent. Livestock workers earned $12.78, up 2 percent from the previous year. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $12.74 per hour, was up 3 percent from the 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 40.2 hours during the April 2018 reference week, down slightly from the hours worked during the April 2017 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.08 per hour during the January 2018 reference week, up 5 percent from the January 2017 reference week. Field workers received an average of $12.84 per hour, up 6 percent, while livestock workers earned $12.89 per hour, up 2 percent from the previous year. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $12.86 per hour, was up 4 percent from January 2017 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 38.0 hours during the January 2018 reference week, equaling the hours worked during the January 2017 reference week.

Other Pennsylvania Headlines