Agricultural Worker Project Updates

H-2A Wages Are Lower This Year Than They Have Been in the Past

The government changed the way that they calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, or AEWR. For many H-2A workers, the AEWR is now lower than the minimum wage of the state where they are working. Since your boss can never pay you less than the minimum wage, you will make at least the state minimum wage if it is higher than the new AEWR.

Jobs that require little experience are “Skill Level I” and have a lower AEWR. Jobs that require more experience are “Skill Level II” and have a higher AEWR. This AEWR depends on the job requirements, not how many years of experience you personally have.

Workers who live in the United States all year and have permission to work now have a higher AEWR than H-2A workers.

On August 3, 2026, the federal government published new AEWRs for the rest of the year. 

If the new AEWR is higher than what is on your contract, your boss must start paying you the higher wage. If the new AEWR is lower than what is on your contract, your boss must continue to pay you the wage on the contract. Your boss can never pay you less than what is on your contract. In addition, your boss can only take out the deductions listed in your contract, like taxes.

The charts show the minimum amount your boss can pay you per hour. If you have any questions, please give us a call!

H-2A WORKERS

US WORKERS DOING THE SAME WORK AS H-2A WORKERS