Farm work vs a career in tech: which should you choose?

Choosing a career should always start from your own preferences and interests. But the market's direction is worth heeding too: to develop your potential, do something with it and live comfortably, you need to know which skills are in demand.

In this article we look at two directions. Farm work in the USA is physically demanding; a career in tech is more intellectual. Both have plenty of vacancies, so we will treat each as being in demand. Which particulars, then, deserve especially close attention?

What farm work in the USA involves

This suits anyone who loves nature, animals or the land and is not afraid of physical labour. The work depends on the kind of operation: growing crops, raising animals or even fishing. What the job can include:

• planting, growing and harvesting crops;
• caring for animals;
• operating agricultural machinery;
• overseeing irrigation and fertilising the soil;
• dealing with suppliers and logistics companies.

Farm work in the USA can be seasonal, particularly in crop growing: in winter the plants are dormant and there is no need for a large staff, while in summer and at harvest the schedule is intense. Animals need care year-round, so that work is usually done in shifts.

The tech professions in demand in the USA

Tech professions in the USA do not always require code. There are creative directions such as web design, and technical specialisms such as the cybersecurity engineer, more relevant now than ever.

The tech professions most in demand in the USA today:

1. Full Stack Developer;
2. Cybersecurity Analyst;
3. DevOps Engineer;
4. Web Developer;
5. Data Scientist;
6. Machine Learning Engineer.

Testers and iOS developers are also highly valued. If tech interests you, the professions within it vary enormously, so people with all sorts of interests can find a direction that suits them.

The other advantages of working in tech are worth listing:

• you can work in a comfortable office or from home;
• flexible hours;
• wide scope for career growth;
• work with leading technology;
• strong demand in the job market;
• constant skill development and learning;
• good pay.

What farm work pays, for beginners and for experienced hands

There is not much need to dwell on tech salaries. Roughly, across all tech professions, a beginner earns around $20–40 an hour. Experienced specialists earn more than $70 an hour, and in the top directions the rate can exceed $150 an hour.

Farm work pays rather less. Beginners earn on average $12–15 an hour. People in more senior positions can expect $20–25 an hour. There are benefits: many farms offer free accommodation and meals, and there may be seasonal supplements and modest productivity bonuses.

Where each one leads

Technology is being brought into agriculture in earnest: new growing methods, process automation, environmentally sound techniques. That affects everyone in the sector, from the manager to the hired hand. For all the modernisation, farm work in the USA has geographical limits and will continue to. A great deal depends on the weather, on the character of the region and on demand for particular products — worth bearing in mind if you are considering a career in agriculture.

Tech offers more freedom. What can already be said about the direction of travel:

1. Demand for specialists across the board will keep rising.
2. Technology will keep being adopted across the economy. Even a farmer will need someone from tech.
3. Career growth in tech will be quick. People will move between areas and keep sharpening their skills, and the road from junior to senior can be travelled fast.

The world is changing very quickly, and tech specialists remain the most flexible and the most adaptable to new challenges. Today's technology already lets you step into a field that is not only well paid but genuinely interesting and at the leading edge. It is an opportunity worth taking.

Frequently asked questions

Can farm work in the USA be seasonal?
Yes. Many farms hire seasonal workers.

Which profession is better for a stable income in the USA?
Any tech direction. The field provides a stable, high income.

What is the average salary for tech specialists in America?
$100,000–150,000 a year.

Why are tech professions so much in demand?
Because the technology is developing quickly and is used widely across many fields. The world needs capable people to keep the industry moving.

Do you need a degree to become a tech specialist?
No. A course in your chosen specialism is enough.