How Much Do H-2A Workers Make? 2026-27 AEWR by State
If you are thinking about an H-2A farm job in the United States, the first question is simple: how much will I earn per hour? The answer is set by the US Department of Labor (DOL) through a number called the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, or AEWR. It is different in every state, and in 2026 the rules changed in ways that can lower or raise your real pay. This guide gives you the official 2026-27 AEWR for every state, explains the two skill levels and the housing adjustment, and shows what it means in Texas and Florida. Every rate below comes from the DOL's own spreadsheet published with the Federal Register notice of 3 August 2026. What is the AEWR? The AEWR is the minimum hourly wage that an H-2A employer must offer for a job, so that hiring foreign workers does not push down pay for US farmworkers. It is not the only floor. Under the H-2A rules (20 CFR 655.120), employers must pay at least the highest of: the AEWR, a prevailing wage for the crop or activity, if one exists, a...
