Farm Worker Jobs in Canada (2025)
Canada’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in feeding both the country and global markets. With its vast lands, diverse climates, and strong export markets, the demand for farm workers remains steady. In 2025, there is both seasonal and permanent work available, and several programs and regulations guide how foreign and local workers can participate.
What Do Farm Workers Do
Depending on the type of farm (crop, fruit/orchard, greenhouse, livestock, or mixed), tasks can include:
- Planting, weeding, irrigating crops
- Harvesting fruits, vegetables, or grains
- Sorting, cleaning, packaging produce
- Feeding, caring for and cleaning livestock or poultry
- Maintaining farm equipment, tools, and farm infrastructure
- Operating or assisting with machinery (when required)
- Working in greenhouses or nurseries, controlling environment (humidity, temperature)
- Sometimes pruning, pest control, or quality checks
Salary & Pay Ranges
Earnings for farm workers in Canada depend heavily on province, type of work, whether it’s seasonal or permanent, level of skill, and whether benefits or housing are included.
- The average farm worker wage is around CAD $15.50 to $17.50/hour for many harvesting / fruit farm roles.
- In some provinces or more specialized farm roles (greenhouse, livestock, etc.), wages can go higher — into CAD $20‑25/hour or more.
- For full‑time permanent farm roles, annual earnings may be CAD 30,000‑CAD 60,000+, based on hours, overtime, and location.
Who Can Work & What Is Needed
Local Workers
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible without extra permits.
- Basic fitness is essential because much of the work is manual, outdoors, and often in changing weather.
Foreign Workers
- Canada has programs to bring in temporary foreign farm workers under structured systems. One central program is the Agricultural Stream for temporary foreign workers in agriculture. Canada.ca
- Work permits are typically required and often tied to a specific employer. Some positions require Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to ensure no local worker could fill the role. Canada.ca+1
Education & Experience
- Most farm worker roles do not require formal education. Basic schooling is sufficient. yt.jobbank.gc.ca+1
- Experience helps, especially for specialized tasks or machinery operation, but many jobs provide on‑the‑job training.
- Physical stamina and ability to work long hours, sometimes in difficult conditions, is often required.
Working Conditions & Features
- Many farm jobs are seasonal, especially harvest work, meaning work is more abundant at certain times of the year.
- Housing or accommodation may sometimes be provided, especially for seasonal or remote farms.
- Working hours can be long and physically intensive. Weather conditions can be hot, cold, wet, depending on region and season.
- Some farms offer overtime pay, bonuses for productivity, or incentives during peak time.
- Safety standards and regulations apply; wearing proper protective gear, following health and safety guidelines is important.
Challenges & Considerations
- Seasonal work means income can fluctuate. During off‑season, many workers may have little or no work.
- Remote farms may require long travel or relocation; sometimes housing conditions are basic.
- Tasks can be physically demanding and repetitive.
- For foreign workers, visa, work permit processes, and employer obligations (housing, fair treatment) are important to verify.
- Costs like transportation, gear, or relocation can eat into net income.
Opportunities & Career Growth
- With experience, a farm worker may move into roles like crew leader, supervisor, or farm foreman.
- Specialized farm work (greenhouses, livestock, equipment operation) often pays better.
- Some programs allow workers to transition to more permanent positions, or even apply for permanent residency under certain conditions (like in agricultural pilot programs).
- Learning more about agriculture, certifications (if available), machinery operation, or supply chain/logistics aspects can help.
Regulations & Programs (2025)
- The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) supports hiring foreign farm workers where labor shortages exist. Employers may need to get an LMIA. Canada.ca+1
- The Agricultural Stream under employment and social development ensures farm jobs meet certain standards for wages, conditions, and worker rights.
- Canadian Job Bank tracks wage data, occupational requirements, and job opportunities for farm roles across provinces.
External Reference
For official details on how foreign workers can be hired for agricultural work (requirements, eligible occupations, wages, conditions), see the Government of Canada resource: Agricultural workers – Work temporarily in Canada.
