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Harvester operator salary
Average harvester operator salary
$14.38
Average Harvester Operator Salary
The salary for a harvester operator varies widely across different states and levels of experience. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $29,909 per year, which translates to about $14 per hour. Factors influencing salary include geographic location, years of experience, and specific job duties. For instance, states like California and Texas tend to offer higher salaries compared to others.
Where Can Harvester Operators Earn More?
Harvester operators in states such as Washington, Oregon, and Idaho report some of the highest wages, attributed to the demand for agricultural work in these regions. Additionally, those with specialized skills or certifications may command higher salaries. Seeking employment with larger agricultural firms can also lead to better compensation.
Salary Estimates and Trends
According to various sources, salaries tend to increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, but operators with several years in the industry can expect significant salary growth. Exploring job boards and company reviews can provide further insights into the current job market for harvester operators.
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Where can a Harvester Operator earn more?
Harvester operator salary estimates from across the web
Average harvester operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for harvester operators are North Dakota, Alaska, and Michigan. The lowest average harvester operator salary states are New Mexico, Florida, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for harvester operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $44,464 | $21.38 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $37,348 | $17.96 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $37,507 | $18.03 |
| 4 | Utah | $34,187 | $16.44 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $46,063 | $22.15 |
| 6 | Michigan | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $36,582 | $17.59 |
| 8 | South Dakota | $37,968 | $18.25 |
| 9 | New York | $35,991 | $17.30 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $32,452 | $15.60 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $34,764 | $16.71 |
| 12 | Iowa | $32,522 | $15.64 |
| 13 | Maine | $35,119 | $16.88 |
| 14 | Indiana | $32,156 | $15.46 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $34,042 | $16.37 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $33,236 | $15.98 |
| 17 | Delaware | $35,081 | $16.87 |
| 18 | Missouri | $33,799 | $16.25 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| 20 | Washington | $35,019 | $16.84 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $30,968 | $14.89 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $30,986 | $14.90 |
| 23 | Montana | $32,876 | $15.81 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| 25 | Illinois | $32,209 | $15.49 |
| 26 | Ohio | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $29,773 | $14.31 |
| 28 | Idaho | $32,060 | $15.41 |
| 29 | Virginia | $30,171 | $14.51 |
| 30 | California | $32,719 | $15.73 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $28,786 | $13.84 |
| 32 | Nevada | $27,586 | $13.26 |
| 33 | Oregon | $30,876 | $14.84 |
| 34 | Arizona | $28,186 | $13.55 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $27,967 | $13.45 |
| 36 | Kansas | $29,113 | $14.00 |
| 37 | Colorado | $28,307 | $13.61 |
| 38 | Vermont | $29,572 | $14.22 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $28,714 | $13.80 |
| 40 | New Hampshire | $29,381 | $14.13 |
| 41 | Connecticut | $28,997 | $13.94 |
| 42 | Florida | $23,639 | $11.36 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,386 | $12.20 |
| 44 | Maryland | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $26,142 | $12.57 |
| 46 | Georgia | $26,800 | $12.88 |
| 47 | Texas | $23,202 | $11.15 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $25,666 | $12.34 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $21,308 | $10.24 |
| 50 | Alabama | $23,607 | $11.35 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $18,504 | $8.90 |
Highest paying cities for harvester operators
The highest-paying cities for harvester operators are Cherryfield, ME, Whitneyville, ME, and Marshfield, ME.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherryfield, ME | $34,867 | $16.76 |
| 2 | Whitneyville, ME | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 3 | Marshfield, ME | $34,814 | $16.74 |
| 4 | Dover, DE | $34,668 | $16.67 |
| 5 | Cove, UT | $34,515 | $16.59 |
| 6 | Bridgeville, DE | $34,118 | $16.40 |
| 7 | Laurel, DE | $33,884 | $16.29 |
| 8 | Westville, IN | $33,772 | $16.24 |
| 9 | Kenwood, CA | $33,743 | $16.22 |
| 10 | Sonoma, CA | $33,726 | $16.21 |
| 11 | Wanatah, IN | $33,654 | $16.18 |
| 12 | Watsonville, CA | $33,536 | $16.12 |
| 13 | Acampo, CA | $33,488 | $16.10 |
| 14 | Plover, WI | $33,303 | $16.01 |
| 15 | Bakersfield, CA | $32,749 | $15.74 |
| 16 | Butte-Silver Bow, MT | $32,427 | $15.59 |
| 17 | Hamer, ID | $32,158 | $15.46 |
| 18 | Bowling Green, OH | $31,945 | $15.36 |
| 19 | Wachapreague, VA | $30,613 | $14.72 |
| 20 | Dalhart, TX | $25,011 | $12.02 |
Harvester operator salary details
A harvester operator's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $41,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a harvester operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $29,909 | $2,492 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying harvester operator jobs
The highest paying types of harvester operators are fertilizer applicator, building equipment operator, and chopper operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Farm Operator | $30,339 | $2,528 | $14.59 | 31,163 |
Top companies hiring harvester operators now:
Which companies pay harvester operators the most?
Harvester operator salaries at Cargill and Constellation Brands are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average harvester operator salary at companies like Cherryfield Foods, Inc. and Hartung Brothers are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cargill | $37,116 | $17.84 |
| 2 | Constellation Brands | $31,146 | $14.97 |
| 3 | Cherryfield Foods, Inc. | $28,167 | $13.54 |
| 4 | Hartung Brothers | $27,203 | $13.08 |
| 5 | Ste. Michelle Wine Estates | $27,056 | $13.01 |
| 6 | Driscoll's | $26,148 | $12.57 |
| 7 | Larsen Farms | $25,555 | $12.29 |
| 8 | Bolthouse Farms | $25,099 | $12.07 |
| 9 | R.M. Schulte & Associates | $24,888 | $11.97 |
| 10 | DelMonte Hotel Group | $23,912 | $11.50 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Harvester operator salary trends
The average harvester operator salary has risen by $6,877 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average harvester operator earned $23,032 annually, but today, they earn $29,909 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for harvester operators over the last decade.
Compare harvester operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average harvester operator salary over time
Compare harvester operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Harvester operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,900 | $14.38 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $29,200 | $14.03 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $28,500 | $13.69 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $27,500 | $13.22 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $26,300 | $12.67 | +3.5% |
Recently added harvester operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delmontefoods | Harvest Operator | Plover, WI | 05/25/2025 | $39,549 |
| Del Monte Foods Corporation II | Harvest Operator | Plover, WI | 05/21/2025 | $37,566 |
| Firstservice Corporation | Aquatic Weed Harvester Operator | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 04/19/2025 | $41,740 |
| Cargill Meat Solutions | Seasonal Harvest Operator | Cove, UT | 02/19/2025 | $51,445 |
| Oishii Mega Farm, LLC | Harvesting Operator | Phillipsburg, NJ | 02/18/2025 | $35,479 |
| Lakeside Foods, Inc. | Seasonal Harvester Operator (MID June-Mid October) | Plainview, MN | 02/17/2025 | $31,305 |
| Oishii | Harvesting Operator | Phillipsburg, NJ | 02/17/2025 | $35,479 |
| Oishii Farms | Harvesting Operator | Phillipsburg, NJ | 02/14/2025 | $35,479 |
| Dane County, Wi | LTE Lake Management Harvester Operator | Madison, WI | 02/11/2025 | $47,980 |
| Curry Farms, LLC | Seed Harvest Operator | Arizona | 01/31/2025 | $35,562 |
Harvester operator salary FAQs
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