Table 2

Farmworkers in year-round jobs will earn much lower wages if paid the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate: Annual employment and wages in selected industries and states, and difference between current annual wages and annualized AEWR, 2024

State Industry Average annual employment Annual wages Annual wages if paid 2024 AEWR Difference between H-2A wage and non H-2A
CA Poultry and egg 2,512 $55,852 $41,080 -$14,772
TX Poultry and egg 3,603 $65,127 $32,344 -$14,000
CA Mushroom 2,071 $50,009 $41,080 -$13,216
PA Mushroom 4,195 $50,913 $35,776 -$14,548
IA Hog and pig farming 4,587 $53,517 $37,003 -$12,728
NC Hog and pig farming 3,309 $48,632 $32,885 -$12,213
OK Hog and pig farming 1,627 $52,790 $32,344 -$18,499
CA Dairy cattle and milk 16,404 $56,144 $41,080 -$15,064
NY Dairy cattle and milk 9,194 $49,791 $37,024 -$12,767
WI Dairy cattle and milk 15,353 $43,852 $38,480 -$5,372
Economic Policy Institute

Notes: The annual wage rate based on an annualized Adverse Effect Wage Rate, shown in the fifth column, is calculated by taking the 2024 hourly AEWR and multiplying it by 40 hours per week and 52 weeks. 

Source: EPI analysis of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor [2024 data]; industry codes: 1123, Poultry and egg production; 111411, Mushroom production, 11221, Hog and pig farming; and 11212, Dairy cattle and milk production. Foreign Labor Application Gateway, H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate [for fiscal year 2024], last updated July 17, 2024, U.S. Department of Labor.

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