Farm worker
Farm workers raise livestock and use machinery to plant and harvest crops.
Also known as: Farm labourer, tractor driver
- Starter salary£20,000 a year
- Experienced£36,000 a year
What you'll do
Your duties will depend on the type of farm you work on and the time of year.
As a farm worker on an arable or horticultural crop farm, you could:
- carry out land-based operations, such as ploughing and land preparation
- work as part of a harvesting team transporting cereal, grading crops or driving a forklift
- maintain farm buildings and agricultural machinery
- trim hedges, clear drains and ditches and mend fences and walls
- support the management of healthy soils and plants
As a farm worker on a livestock or dairy farm, you could:
- feed animals and clean out their living areas
- operate milking equipment
- look after the welfare of animals
- make sure there are high standards of biosecurity and health and safety
Working environment
You could work on a farm.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to work on your own
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a farm worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could take a course at an agricultural college, such as:
- practical farm animal care skills
- agriculture
- tractor driving
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Courses combine theory and practical skills and can include units on crop production, animal husbandry and operating farm machinery.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
The following apprenticeships might be relevant depending on the type of farming you're interested in:
- General Farm Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Poultry Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Poultry Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Livestock Unit Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
It can take between 1 and 2 years to complete, depending on the apprenticeship you do.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
There is no set route to become a farm worker but it might help if you:
- have an interest in farming
- enjoy working outdoors
- have experience of working on a farm from a weekend or holiday job
- have knowledge of basic mechanics
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With training, qualifications and experience, you could:
- supervise other farm workers
- work as a contractor, maintaining machinery, or supply services to more than one farm
- work in agricultural equipment and supplies
- become an assistant farm manger, which may involve moving between farms to get experience or a promotion
Career tips
As a farm worker or tractor driver, you might work long hours especially during busy periods, such as lambing season and harvest time.
Salary can vary depending on the hours worked and the time of year. You may also get other benefits including:
- free or subsidised accommodation
- travel pay
- profit shares
- vehicle use
- production bonuses
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleFarmer
- Job roleFarm secretary
- Job roleGamekeeper
- Job roleAgricultural contractor
- Job roleCountryside ranger
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0