H-2A Citrus Harvest Jobs in Florida (2026)

Florida's orange and grapefruit groves are one of the classic destinations for H-2A agricultural workers. The state has used the program at scale for decades, and although the citrus industry has shrunk from its peak due to citrus greening disease and hurricanes, thousands of harvest positions are still certified every season. For a first-time H-2A applicant, Florida citrus remains one of the most established routes into US farm work.

The season

Florida citrus is a long season by US harvest standards. Early oranges and grapefruit start coming off the trees around October and November. The crown jewel, Valencia oranges destined for juice, carries the harvest through spring, typically finishing in May or June. Many job orders therefore run six to eight months, which is longer than most northern harvests and means more total earnings for a single contract. Some workers combine a Florida winter season with a northern summer job in a different year, building a year-round rhythm around US agriculture.

What the work involves

Citrus picking in Florida is still largely manual:

• Climbing ladders set against the trees and picking into a shoulder bag
• Emptying bags into field tubs or trailers, tracked per worker for piece-rate pay
• Working through groves in crews, moving between blocks as they ripen
• Heat, humidity and insects, even in the winter months

It is physically demanding work that rewards speed and stamina. Experienced pickers earn noticeably more under piece rates than newcomers in their first weeks.

Pay: AEWR plus piece rates

H-2A employers must pay at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) set for the state each year. Florida's AEWR in recent years has been in the range of roughly $14 to $16 per hour; check the current figure at dol.gov, as it changes annually. Citrus is commonly paid by piece rate per tub or box, with a guarantee: if your piece-rate earnings fall below the hourly AEWR for the hours worked, the employer must make up the difference. Fast pickers regularly beat the hourly floor. H-2A jobs also carry the three-quarters guarantee, meaning the employer must offer work for at least 75 percent of the contract period.

Housing and transport are free

Unlike H-2B jobs, H-2A employers must provide free housing that meets federal standards, typically dormitory-style camps or converted houses near the groves. They must also provide transport between the housing and the fields, and reimburse your inbound travel costs once you complete half the contract, plus return travel at the end. Meals are either provided at a capped daily charge or workers get kitchen facilities to cook.

Life during a citrus season

Most citrus crews live in employer-provided camps in small interior towns, with the workday starting early to beat the afternoon heat. Because housing and daily transport cost you nothing, workers who cook for themselves can save a large share of gross pay; sending money home weekly is the norm. Rain days happen, especially early in the season, and hurricanes can disrupt a year badly, as the industry knows too well; the three-quarters guarantee is your legal cushion if a season collapses. It is also worth knowing the industry context: Florida citrus acreage has been shrinking for years, so job numbers fluctuate, and some crews now mix citrus with other crops like blueberries or vegetables in the same contract. Read the job order to see exactly which crops and locations are covered.

Who hires and how

Florida citrus hiring runs through grower associations, farm labour contractors and large juice-supply operations, mostly in the central and southern interior of the state around towns like Lake Wales, Arcadia, Immokalee and Sebring. Recruitment for autumn starts happens in summer. Because there is no annual cap on H-2A visas, approval chances do not depend on lottery luck the way H-2B can; the key is being found by a legitimate employer. Never pay a recruiter for a job offer; charging workers fees is illegal in this program. For the fundamentals of petitions and consular steps, read how US visa sponsorship works.

This is general information, not legal advice. Wage rates and program rules change every year; verify current details at dol.gov and uscis.gov.

Citrus employers and contractors look for workers with harvest experience and physical endurance. Create your free profile on Workmerica, note any fruit-picking experience you have, and let employers contact you directly. It is free, with no credit card required.