The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released data that will be used to calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A workers for 2017.

• Arizona’s AEWR is expected to decrease from $11.20 to $10.95 per hour.
• California’s AEWR is expected to increase from $11.89 to $12.57 per hour.  
• Colorado’s AEWR is expected to drop from $11.27 to $11.00 per hour. 

These numbers are likely to become the actual wage rates, but are not official until the Department of Labor announces the 2017 AEWRs, which typically occurs during the last two weeks in December. Once the new AEWR for each state is announced, the new wage rate takes effect immediately. 

For over a decade, Western Growers Labor Services has helped WG members successfully apply to use the H-2A program, the only agricultural temporary visa program. If you are anticipating having a shortage of reliable labor in 2017, please contact WG Vice President and General Counsel Jason Resnick for information about our H-2A services at (949) 885-2253.