H-2A worker certifications rise 17% in first half of 2026

Use of the U.S. H-2A temporary agricultural worker program continues to increase, with more than 254,000 positions certified during the first half of fiscal year 2026, putting the program on track to exceed last year’s record level.

H-2A certifications increased from 317,619 positions in fiscal year 2021 to 398,258 in fiscal year 2025. During the first six months of fiscal year 2026, covering October 2025 through March 2026, 254,688 positions were certified, up 16.9% from the same period a year earlier and 19.2% above the first half of fiscal year 2024.

The second quarter of fiscal year 2026 recorded 192,000 certified positions, a 20.5% increase from 159,554 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. First-quarter certifications reached 62,367 positions, up 7.1% year-on-year.

Certification approval rates remained stable, with 97.6% of requested positions approved in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Growth in H-2A use was recorded across most of the country, with 43 of 50 states reporting higher certification levels than a year earlier. Florida, Georgia, and Washington accounted for more than one-quarter of all positions certified during the first half of fiscal year 2026.

Florida remained the largest user of the program with 30,044 certified positions during the first half of the fiscal year. Georgia certified 28,829 positions, while Washington recorded one of the largest increases, rising 67.2% year-on-year to 25,368 positions.

Together, Florida, Georgia, Washington, California, and North Carolina accounted for nearly 125,000 certified positions, representing just under half of the national total.

Washington moved ahead of California in first-half certifications, reaching 73.4% of its fiscal year 2025 full-year total within the first six months of fiscal year 2026.

If certification activity during the second half of fiscal year 2026 matches the pace recorded during the second half of fiscal year 2025, total certifications could approach 435,000 positions for the year.

The report notes that demand for H-2A workers accelerated following the August 2025 court decision that vacated a wage disaggregation rule introduced in 2023. It also points to a Department of Labor Interim Final Rule that took effect in October 2025, allowing a dual-tier wage structure and certain deductions related to worker housing and transportation.

According to the report, domestic labour availability remains limited. In fiscal year 2025, 182 of nearly 415,000 advertised temporary agricultural positions were filled by domestic applicants.

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