Thousands of skilled South Africans are taking up agricultural jobs in the United States, where employers face seasonal labour shortages and demand workers with experience operating heavy farming equipment.
BusinessTech reported that agricultural workers earn an average annual wage of $45,600, equal to roughly R752,700 a year or R62,700 a month. The figure comes from a July 2026 workplace safety study by Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers.
Agriculture ranked as the highest-risk job
The study examined five years of fatal workplace injury data across several high-risk occupations.
It recorded 725 fatal injuries among agricultural workers and ranked the occupation as the most dangerous profession in the United States. The report listed a fatal injury rate of 2,401 per 100,000 workers.
Motor vehicle operators ranked second, followed by grounds maintenance workers, material moving workers and extraction workers.
The study also found that the average salary for agricultural workers remained below the average American wage, despite the dangers linked to the job.
South Africans fill specialised farm roles
The United States recruits foreign farm workers through its H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa programme.
BusinessTech reported, citing US Department of State statistics, that South Africa is the second-largest source of H-2A workers after Mexico. US consulates in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban reportedly issue between 14,500 and 15,200 visas to South African agricultural workers each year.
South Africans are particularly sought after for mechanised farming roles. These include operating combine harvesters, heavy vehicles and large agricultural equipment across the Great Plains and Midwest.
Employers reportedly value South African workers for their English skills, heavy vehicle licences and experience with machinery made by companies such as John Deere and Case IH.
Visa programme faces legal disputes
The growing use of South African workers has also sparked legal challenges in parts of the United States.
Five Mississippi farm workers have alleged that they received lower wages and fewer working hours than South Africans employed through the H-2A programme.
Rob McDuff of the Mississippi Centre for Justice said the case formed part of a wider challenge involving alleged abuse of the visa system. The claims remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
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