Northwest Ag Industry Adjusts To Updated AEWR

New H-2A wage rates are now taking effect across the Northwest. The U.S. Department of Labor's 2026 Adverse Effect Wage Rates became effective August 3rd in Washington and Oregon. In Idaho, the new rates won't take effect until Monday, August 17th because of an ongoing lawsuit over the 2024 Farmworker Protection Rule.

What does the updated rule mean for each state?

Washington: While rates increased across the board in Washington (ranging from 2.4%-4%), the state minimum wage will continue to serve as the wage floor for all Skill Level I workers. The skill level II AEWR for H-2A workers is now $.05 higher than the state minimum wage, and the Skill Level II AEWR for U.S. workers increased $0.63 (2.4 percent) to $16.63. This AEWR – which is the highest – is still nearly 1% less than the 2025 AEWR calculated under the old methodology.

Oregon: Growers in the Beaver State are seeing the AEWR go down for skill level I U.S. and H-2A workers and increase by less than 1 percent for skill level II U.S. and H-2A workers. (Note that current rules do not allow employers to reduce wages for workers under existing H-2A contracts and corresponding employment arrangements). The state minimum wage will continue to serve as the wage floor for Skill Level I H-2A workers.

Idaho: Employers here saw the AEWR go up by 2.05%-4.69%. The new AEWR for skill level I workers are 26 %-45%, respectively, below the 2025 AEWR calculated under the old methodology. The skill level II AEWR for H-2A workers is 7.3% below the 2025 AEWR, while the skill level II AEWR for U.S. workers is now 3.5% higher.