The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration published Adverse Effect Wage Rates for H-2A workers in 2025.
The AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the DOL has determined must be offered, advertised in recruitment and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment so that the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S. similarly employed will not be adversely affected.
This year, the combined field and livestock worker wage rate nationally is $18.12, up 3.2% from a year ago, according to an analysis from Farm Bureau. The wage rates are based on the USDA’s “Farm Labor” report released Nov. 20.
A Federal Register notice said the new rates are effective Dec. 16, except for states subject to a court order in Kansas et. al. v. U.S. Department of Labor. For those states, the new rates are effective Dec. 30 this year, the Federal Register notice said.
Selected 2025 AEWRs, as compared with 2024 AEWRs, are:
- Alabama — $16.08, up from $14.68.
- Arizona — $17.04, up from $16.32.
- California — $19.97, up from $19.75.
- Colorado — $17.84, up from $16.63.
- Florida — $16.23, up from $14.77.
- Georgia — $16.08, up from $14.68.
- Idaho — $16.83, up from $16.54.
- Michigan — $18.15, down from $18.50.
- New Jersey — $17.96, up from $17.20.
- New York — $18.83, up from $17.80.
- North Carolina — $16.16, up from $15.81.
- Texas — $15.79, up from $15.55.
- Washington — $19.82, up from $19.25.
Source: Department of Labor
