Farm employment

What are farm employment estimates?

Many available employment estimates focus on nonfarm payrolls. Farm employment estimates are a data set provided by the Idaho Department of Labor to help provide a picture for those who are interested in farm employment. The data set provides an estimate of operators, unpaid family workers and hired workers at both a statewide level as well as county.

Due to the difficulty in estimating farm employment on a monthly basis, the department uses data from a variety of sources that include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Idaho Department of Labor’s Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Total estimated agricultural employment

*Updated June 18, 2026

Crop activity, 2026

Regional crop activities and accompanying wages are a compilation of information taken from local area resources such as workforce consultants, agricultural extension agents, farm producers and the current Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for H-2A guest visa workers. In Idaho, the Farm Labor Survey determines the AEWR and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, then provided to the Employment and Training division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

*Updated June 16, 2026