The U.S. Department of Labor has announced new Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for select positions in the H-2A program. These new rates apply to H-2A positions not included in the SOC codes for field and livestock workers (“Big-6” AEWR positions). These wages are instead determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS Survey. See the full federal register notice here.  New rates for OEWS AEWRs are effective July 8, 2024. 

New wage rates for common OEWS occupations are listed for several states below. 

OEWS AEWRs for California
Farm Supervisors $28.89
Shuttle Drivers $20.67
Farm Mechanics $26.92
Heavy Truck Drivers $28.02  

OEWS AEWRs for Arizona
Farm Supervisors $31.97
Shuttle Drivers $17.56
Farm Mechanics $26.55
Heavy Truck Drivers $25.37 

OEWS AEWRs for Colorado 

Farm Supervisors $31.16 
Shuttle Drivers $18.95 
Farm Mechanics $28.43 
Heavy Truck Drivers $28.03 

OEWS AEWRs for Oregon
Farm Supervisors $29.21
Shuttle Drivers $17.87
Farm Mechanics $28.60
Heavy Truck Drivers $28.81 

OEWS AEWRs for Nevada
Farm Supervisors $27.08
Shuttle Drivers $15.56
Farm Mechanics $28.90
Heavy Truck Drivers $27.88 

Rates in these positions that increased must be reflected in wage rates starting July 8. In the event the OEWS rate is lower than what is reflected in the job order, employers cannot lower the rate, pursuant to the DOL’s 2023 AEWR Rule.