North Carolina growers

North Carolina H-2A help for farms, nurseries & greenhouses

North Carolina is a top H-2A state. Tobacco, sweet potato and Christmas tree growers use H-2A crews season after season. We help North Carolina growers start an H-2A program or file the one they already run, on time and with clear costs.

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North Carolina 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	$11.15	$15.13
U.S. workers	$12.84	$16.82

The H-2A rate is the U.S. rate minus a $1.69/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 North Carolina: $11.15/hour (H-2A Skill Level I rate). North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage, so the H-2A rate is 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 North Carolina H-2A crops and start dates

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

Crop / work	Typical season
Tobacco	Transplanting April–May, harvest July–October
Sweet potatoes	Planting May–June, harvest August–November
Christmas trees (Fraser fir)	Shearing in summer, harvest October–December
Cucumbers & vegetables	Spring and fall seasons
Blueberries & strawberries	Harvest April–July

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

How we help North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 · Illinois · Indiana · Ohio · Florida · Georgia · New Jersey