Nevada growers and FLC’s using H-2A should take a close look at job classifications this season. Nevada’s prevailing wage for “Farm Labor, All Crops, All General Labor” is $16.63 per hour (effective 9/25/2025). This is the broadest “Farm Labor, All Crops” category and generally covers most general farm tasks across crops, including core field work, equipment operation, and irrigation. 

DETR tried to pull the survey back, and OFLC said no 

After the survey was validated, Nevada’s State Workforce Agency (DETR) asked the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) to rescind Nevada’s 2025 prevailing wage surveys, arguing the survey methodology was flawed. OFLC rejected the request, explaining that DETR did not provide sufficient evidence to justify rescission despite multiple follow-ups, and confirmed the surveys remain valid through September 24, 2026. 

Why this matters: the prevailing wage may now set the floor 

Under H-2A rules, employers must pay the highest of: 

• the AEWR, 

• the state or federal minimum wage, 

• the prevailing wage (if any), or 

• a CBA rate (if any). 

For many Nevada farm jobs, the $16.63 prevailing wage will now control because it is higher than the Nevada minimum wage and the 2025-2026 AEWR. 

Two common Nevada farm classifications: broad vs. narrow 

Nevada’s wage findings create a practical decision point when building job orders and payroll practices: 

1) “Farm Labor, All Crops, All General Labor” (prevailing wage: $16.63) 

• Broad category that can cover general farm tasks across crops. 

• Commonly implicated when the job includes a mix of duties, including equipment operation and irrigation. 

2) “Farm Labor, Crop and Field, Harvest, Farm/Ranch Hands” (prevailing wage: $16.28) 

• Narrower subset focused on core hands-on crop/field work, harvesting, and ranch-hand type duties. 

• According to the SWA, it generally excludes more “specialized” tasks such as repairs, driving, and machine operations. 

Practical compliance tips 

• Match the rate to the duties, not the job title. If the job includes irrigation, equipment operation, or driving as routine duties, assume the broader $16.63 category may apply. 

• Document the duty mix. If you intend to use the narrower $16.28 rate, your job description and actual daily work should reflect that narrower scope. 

• Watch out for “Hay Alfalfa, Management/Supervisors”: The prevailing wage for this work is $25.61 per hour.  Although some DETR analysts have attempted to apply this rate to all hay and alfalfa farmworkers, we have successfully advocated for restricting it to supervisors and managers only.  

Members with questions about the Nevada prevailing wage or the H-2A program in general should contact the Western Growers H-2A Services Team.