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Farm worker

Alternative titles for this job include Farm labourer, tractor driver

Farm workers raise livestock and use machinery to plant and harvest crops.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

Meet Thomas

Thomas works as a general farm worker on an arable farm.

2 minute watch

View transcript

I'm Thomas Gent and I work on a farm here in South Lincolnshire.

It's an arable combinable crop farm.

When I first got a role in farming, I was definitely doing some of the more basic jobs, so kind of cleaning the grain store, helping the more experienced guys with the machinery maintenance, kind of learning the ground roots I guess.

But then as I progressed and became a bit more experienced, I would say year two, three onwards, I've advanced to you know, getting the sprayer qualification and doing the spraying myself and now even driving a combine in harvest.

I mostly enjoy being outside. You know, I'm definitely an outdoors sort of person I'm not very good at sitting in front of a computer.

We use a lot of technology on the farm. All of our tractors are GPS fitted. So all of the tractors run on auto steer and the modern machinery, the combines and the sprayers all have screens and computers built in and there's a huge amount of controls we fit to them. So I would say technology is probably one of the highest skills that I need as a farm worker.

Everybody needs a farmer. Everybody needs food and working in agriculture we're obviously producing some really healthy British food to put on the plate.

And so that's really why I love it and why I think it's really important that more people get involved.

I would say definitely look at a career in agriculture. There's so many various different roles and there's definitely gonna be something that fits you and the best bit is you just get to be outside. And there's lots going on. There's lots of different skills required all the way from kind of technology work all the way to animal animal care.

I really enjoy being a farm worker and working on farm every day. It's really nice to be outside. The role changes so much throughout the year, depending on the seasons and the weather. And it's definitely something that I would recommend everybody to get involved in and look at as an option for them.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

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

More Information

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

More Information

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

Further information

You can find out more about careers in farming and agriculture from The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture and Tasty Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a good level of fitness

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 3 Livestock Technician Apprenticeship - Higher Maxworthy Farm

  • Wage: £11,778 to £19,047.60 a year Annually
  • Location: Launceston

Level 2 General Farmworker Apprenticeship - Higher Maxworthy Farm

  • Wage: £11,778 to £19,047.60 a year Annually
  • Location: Launceston
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Tractor Driving C&G - Certificate of Competence - Level 2

  • Provider: SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 26 May 2026
  • Location: Sparsholt

NPTC 0014-31 L2 CoC in Tractor Driving and Related Operations (Novice)

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Bridgwater
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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