Fruit Picking & Orchard Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

What if working in United States didn’t require a degree, office skills, or years of experience? In 2026, thousands of foreign workers are earning $14 to $18 per hour in U.S. orchards legally, safely, and with visa sponsorship.

These jobs offer more than a paycheck. They offer free housing, paid transportation, and a real chance to work in America. If you enjoy outdoor work, don’t mind physical effort, and want honest earnings with low living costs, orchard worker jobs in the USA could be your doorway to a fresh start.

What Does an Orchard Worker Do?

Orchard work is cyclical, physical, and deeply connected to the seasons. Core responsibilities revolve around the life cycle of fruit trees:

• Harvesting: Hand-picking fruits like apples, peaches, cherries, pears, and citrus at peak ripeness.
• Pruning & Training: Carefully cutting branches to shape trees, promote growth, and ensure fruit quality for future seasons.
• Thinning: Removing excess young fruit to allow the remaining fruit to grow larger and healthier.
• Planting & Maintenance: Setting new saplings, irrigating, weeding, and general orchard upkeep.
• Sorting & Packing: Grading harvested fruit by size and quality and packing them for market in packing houses.

The work is performed outdoors in all weather, often in teams. It requires stamina, attention to detail, and care for the product.

Why the U.S. Relies on Foreign Orchard Workers

The United States is a major global fruit producer, with vast orchards spanning states like Washington, California, Michigan, and Oregon. However, a persistent domestic labor shortage for seasonal, physically demanding agricultural work means these vital industries cannot function without international workers.

To address this, U.S. growers utilize the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker visa program. This allows them to legally sponsor foreign nationals for seasonal jobs that domestic workers are unavailable to fill, creating a mutually beneficial system.

The H-2A Visa: Your Legal Pathway

The H-2A visa is the cornerstone of this opportunity. It is a nonimmigrant visa for temporary or seasonal agricultural work.

Key Program Features:

• Employer-Sponsored: A U.S. farm employer must petition for and sponsor you.
• Guaranteed Protections: The program mandates that employers provide:
  • Free housing that meets state and federal standards.
  • Transportation from your home country to the worksite and back.
  • Meals or cooking facilities.
  • Payment of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which is a minimum wage set to protect domestic workers.
• Duration: Tied to the season, typically from 3 to 10 months.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The barriers to entry are based on capability, not credentials.

Employers generally seek candidates who are

• Age: 18 years or older.
• Health & Fitness: Capable of sustained manual labor, including bending, lifting, and working on your feet for long hours.
• Background: Have a clean criminal record (critical for visa approval).
• Mindset: Reliable, punctual, able to follow instructions, and able to work well in a team.
• Language: Basic English comprehension is highly beneficial for safety and instructions, though not always formally required.

No formal education or prior farm experience is necessary.  Training is provided on the job.

Primary Hiring States & Crops

Orchard jobs are concentrated in America’s premier fruit-growing regions:

• Washington State: Apples, cherries, pears.
• California: Almonds, citrus, stone fruits (peaches, plums), grapes.
• Michigan & New York: Apples, cherries, blueberries.
• Oregon & Pennsylvania: Pears, apples, berries.
• Florida: Citrus.

Compensation & Benefits of Fruit Picking & Orchard Jobs in USA

The H-2A program ensures fair compensation and conditions.

• Wages: Paid hourly at the state’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) or the local prevailing wage, whichever is higher. For 2025, this typically ranges from $16.00 to $20.00+ per hour.
• Overtime: Paid at 1.5x the hourly rate for work over 40 hours per week in most states.
• Estimated Earnings: A full-season worker can potentially earn $15,000 to $25,000+, with major living costs (housing, transportation) covered.
• Mandatory Employer-Provided Benefits:
  • Free, approved housing (often shared dormitory-style).
  • Transportation between housing and worksite.
  • Workers’ compensation insurance for job-related injuries.

How to Apply for Fruit Picking & Orchard Jobs in USA

Step 1: Prepare Your Basic Profile

• Have a valid passport.
• Prepare a simple résumé highlighting any physical work, reliability, and teamwork.
• Gather documents for a potential background check.

Step 2: Find a Legitimate Employer or Recruiter

• Official Source: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Seasonal Jobs website lists approved H-2A job orders.
• Reputable Agencies: Work only with licensed recruitment agencies in your home country that have contracts with U.S. farm employers. Verify their credentials.
• Warning: Never pay exorbitant fees. Legitimate employers cover most costs. You should only pay for your passport, visa application fee, and possibly a modest, transparent agency placement fee.

Step 3: Interview & Job Offer

• If selected, you will interview (often by phone/video). A successful interview leads to a formal job offer and work contract.

Step 4: Visa Processing & Travel

• Your employer will file the H-2A petition. Once approved, you will apply for your visa at the U.S. embassy. After visa issuance, your employer will arrange your travel to the U.S.

Conclusion

Orchard worker jobs in the USA remain one of the most accessible legal work opportunities for foreigners in 2026. With hourly wages of $14–$18, free accommodation, employer-sponsored H-2A visas, and no degree requirement, these roles are ideal for workers seeking seasonal income and international experience.

From apple orchards in Washington to citrus farms in Florida, demand continues to grow as U.S. farmers face labor shortages. For many, orchard work is not just seasonal employment; it’s a stepping stone to better opportunities, savings, and global exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions