Agricultural workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$35,980
~$17/hr · ~$2,998/mo
US Jobs
813K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
3/10
Low Risk
AI & Automation Risk
Low Risk 3/10
The core of this occupation involves physical labor, animal handling, and operating machinery in unpredictable outdoor environments, which provides a strong natural barrier to AI. While AI and robotics are increasingly used for precision agriculture and automated harvesting, the high cost of hardware and the need for manual dexterity in varied conditions mean human workers remain essential for the majority of tasks.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MNBEST VALUE | $43,050 | Below avg (85.9) | $50,111 |
| Columbia, MO | $43,120 | Below avg (89.1) | $48,381 |
| Bangor, ME | $43,920 | Below avg (92.3) | $47,563 |
| Bozeman, MT | $45,590 | Average (99.0) | $46,047 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $43,410 | Below avg (94.7) | $45,864 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $41,340 | Below avg (91.9) | $45,006 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $39,590 | Below avg (88.2) | $44,863 |
| Bloomington, IL | $41,150 | Below avg (92.1) | $44,670 |
| Missoula, MT | $41,840 | Below avg (93.9) | $44,553 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $46,450 | Above avg (104.4) | $44,512 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $39,440 | Below avg (89.1) | $44,247 |
| Boulder, CO | $43,860 | Average (100.6) | $43,592 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $37,940 | Below avg (87.6) | $43,316 |
| Salisbury, MD | $40,100 | Below avg (92.6) | $43,284 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,950 | Below avg (88.8) | $42,720 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Varies by employer
10-Year Growth
-3% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$17/hr
Monthly Income
~$2,998/mo
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)