Gather you actually know nothing about what these undocumented immigrants make here in the US. $16-$20 an hour in CA.
As for just saving a buck, who's gonna pick your avocados, partner...your son? Your grandkids?
Nope.
If not them, who?
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To address the question of how much undocumented immigrants earn per hour working on California farms compared to wages in their home countries, we need to consider available data on California farmworker wages and typical wages in the primary home countries of these workers, who are predominantly from Mexico and Central America (e.g., Guatemala, El Salvador). The response draws on web sources provided and critically examines the data for accuracy and context.
### Wages for Undocumented Immigrants on California Farms
- **General Farmworker Wages**:
- Over the 2015–2019 period, California crop workers earned an average of **$12.13 per hour**, with hourly-paid workers at **$11.61** and piece-rate workers at **$14.87**. A 2014 survey reported an average of **$11.54 per hour** for farmworkers, equating to about **$33,200 annually** for a 60-hour workweek.
- By 2022, the average hourly wage for nonsupervisory farmworkers in California was **$16.62**, and some sources indicate **$18.48** for migrant workers as of April 2025, with projections of **$18.73** by May 2025 and up to **$22.70** in some cases. The California minimum wage rose to **$15.50** in 2023 and **$16** in 2024, setting a floor for wages.
- **Undocumented Workers Specifically**:
- In 2021, the median hourly wage for undocumented immigrants across all sectors in California was **$16**, compared to **$24** for lawful residents and **$28** for naturalized immigrants. For farmworkers, who are often undocumented (50–70% of California’s agricultural workforce), wages are typically lower than the state average due to the labor-intensive nature of the work.
- A 2014 survey cited a median hourly wage for undocumented farmworkers ranging from **$14 to $15**, though this may be higher than typical for agriculture due to specific survey conditions. Older data (pre-2003) suggested **$7–$8 per hour**, but this is outdated given minimum wage increases and labor market changes.
- Undocumented women face a significant pay gap, earning **58 cents for every dollar paid to all men** in California, suggesting their farm wages may be lower, potentially around **$9–$12 per hour** in 2021.
- **Current Estimate (2025)**:
- Given the upward trend in wages and California’s minimum wage of **$16** in 2024, undocumented farmworkers likely earn **$16–$20 per hour** on average in 2025, with piece-rate workers potentially earning more (e.g., **$20–$25** for skilled tasks like harvesting). Lower wages (e.g., **$14–$16**) may persist in less regulated settings or for women due to pay disparities.
### Wages in Home Countries
Most California farmworkers, including undocumented ones, are from **Mexico** (88%) and **Central America** (e.g., Guatemala, El Salvador, 7% combined). Below are approximate wages for agricultural or low-skill labor in these countries, adjusted to 2025 based on available data and economic trends:
- **Mexico**:
- The minimum wage in Mexico was approximately **MXN $248.93 per day** in 2024 (about **$12.50 USD** at an exchange rate of 20 MXN/USD), or roughly **$1.56 per hour** for an 8-hour day. Agricultural workers often earn less, around **$0.80–$1.20 per hour**, due to informal labor markets and regional disparities (e.g., rural areas like Oaxaca or Chiapas).
- Skilled or piece-rate farm work (e.g., fruit picking) may pay **$1.50–$2.50 per hour**, but these jobs are competitive and seasonal.
- **Guatemala**:
- The minimum wage for agricultural workers in 2024 was about **GTQ 94.44 per day** (approximately **$12.15 USD** at 7.75 GTQ/USD), or **$1.52 per hour** for an 8-hour day. Informal farm labor often pays less, around **$0.70–$1.10 per hour**, especially in rural areas.
- High poverty rates and limited enforcement mean many workers earn below the minimum.
- **El Salvador**:
- The minimum wage for agricultural workers in 2024 was **$243.46 per month** for a 44-hour workweek (about **$1.38 per hour** at 4.8 weeks per month). Informal or seasonal farm work often pays **$0.60–$1.00 per hour**.
- Economic challenges and gang influence reduce access to better-paying jobs.
### Comparison
- **California vs. Home Countries**:
- Undocumented farmworkers in California earn **$16–$20 per hour** (or **$14–$16** for lower-end estimates, especially for women), which is **10–20 times higher** than typical agricultural wages in Mexico (**$0.80–$2.50**), Guatemala (**$0.70–$1.52**), or El Salvador (**$0.60–$1.38**).
- Even at the low end (**$14 per hour**), California wages are **5–10 times higher** than home-country wages for similar work, reflecting the economic incentive for migration despite risks like deportation.
- **Contextual Factors**:
- California’s higher cost of living (e.g., housing, food) offsets some wage gains, but the disparity remains significant. For example, a farmworker earning **$16/hour** in California could earn in **2 hours** what they might earn in a **full day** in Mexico or Central America.
- Piece-rate work in California (e.g., **$20–$25/hour** for harvesting) further widens the gap, as such rates are rare in home countries.
- Undocumented workers face vulnerabilities like wage theft and exploitation, which can reduce effective earnings, but legal protections (e.g., California’s minimum wage, overtime laws) provide some safeguards.
### Critical Analysis
- **Data Limitations**: Older data (e.g., **$7–$8/hour** pre-2003) underestimates current wages due to minimum wage increases and labor shortages. The 2014 figure of **$14–$15** for undocumented workers may also be high for agriculture, as it likely includes other sectors. More recent estimates (**$16–$20**) align with 2022–2025 trends and minimum wage laws.
- **Variability**: Wages vary by region (e.g., higher in coastal areas like Salinas vs. Central Valley), crop type (e.g., strawberries vs. grapes), and employer practices (e.g., farm labor contractors vs. direct hire). Undocumented women and less experienced workers often earn less.
- **Home Country Data**: Wage estimates for Mexico and Central America are based on minimum wages and informal market reports, which may not fully capture regional or seasonal variations. Currency fluctuations and inflation (e.g., Mexico’s peso weakened in 2024) affect USD conversions.
### Conclusion
Undocumented immigrants working on California farms in 2025 likely earn **$16–$20 per hour** on average, with some earning **$14–$16** (especially women or in less regulated settings) and piece-rate workers potentially reaching **$20–$25**. In contrast, agricultural wages in their home countries (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador) range from **$0.60–$2.50 per hour**, making California wages **5–20 times higher**. This stark disparity drives migration but is tempered by vulnerabilities like wage theft and high living costs in California. For precise figures, further data on specific crops, regions, and worker demographics would be needed.
_Disclaimer: Grok is not a lawyer; please consult one. Don’t share information that can identify you._
