In the Northern Plains region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) there were 37,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches during the week of July 9-15, 2023, down 3% from the July 2022 reference week, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Workers numbered 43,000 during the week of Oct. 8-14, 2023, down 4% from the October 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $18.68 per hour during the July 2023 reference week, up 6% from the July 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.87 per hour, up $1.30. Livestock workers earned $17.44 per hour, up $0.59. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $18.18, was up $0.93 from the 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 45.2 hours during the July 2023 reference week, compared with 44.4 hours worked during the July 2022 reference week. 

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $19.37 per hour during the October 2023 reference week, up 6% from the October 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $19.88 per hour, up $1.42. Livestock workers earned $17.30 per hour, up $0.42 from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $18.89, was up $1.01 from the October 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 47.9 hours during the October 2023 reference week, compared with 45.9 hours worked during the October 2022 reference week.