Illinois growers

Illinois H-2A help for farms, nurseries & greenhouses

Illinois leads the nation in pumpkin production and has a large nursery and seed industry. Many grain operations also hire seasonal equipment operators. We help Illinois growers start an H-2A program or file the one they already run, on time and with clear costs.

Book a free H-2A consult Estimate my cost

Illinois H-2A wage rates

Current Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for field and livestock workers, effective August 3, 2026.

	Skill Level I entry level	Skill Level II experienced
H-2A workers	$14.01	$16.95
U.S. workers	$15.81	$18.75

The H-2A rate is the U.S. rate minus a $1.80/hour housing adjustment, because H-2A workers receive free housing. You must pay the highest of the AEWR, the prevailing wage, or the federal or state minimum wage.

Lowest starting rate in Illinois: $15.00/hour (state minimum wage). Illinois' state minimum wage ($15.00) is higher than the Level I H-2A rate, so it sets the floor.

Heads up: On Aug. 26, 2026, a federal court found the method behind these rates unlawful. DOL must publish new rates, and farms may owe back pay to workers for hours since Sept. 2, 2026. Check your back pay risk →

Book a free H-2A consult

Tell us a little about your farm and we'll call or email you within one business day.

Typical Illinois H-2A crops and start dates

Start the paperwork about 4 to 5 months before your crew needs to arrive. Here's when common Illinois jobs start:

Crop / work	Typical season
Nursery & greenhouse	Spring shipping season; crews start March–April
Seed corn & detasseling	June–August
Vegetables & sweet corn	Planting April–May, harvest June–September
Pumpkins	Harvest August–October
Grain & hay equipment operators	Planting April–May and harvest September–November

Seasons vary by region and year. We set your exact dates during the consultation. Plan your filing deadlines →

How we help Illinois growers

First-time programs

We take you from "is this right for us?" to workers arriving. That includes the job order, housing inspection, the DOL filing and travel.

Filing only

Already run your own crew? We prepare and file your Illinois job order and DOL application at a flat, upfront price.

Small farms welcome

Need 2 to 10 workers? You'll get the same attention as a large operation.

Ready to plan your Illinois season?

A 20-minute call is free. We'll tell you if H-2A fits your operation and what it will cost.

Book a free H-2A consult

Other states we serve: Michigan · Indiana · Ohio · Florida · Georgia · North Carolina · New Jersey