Salaries and costs
Pay in Lancashire agriculture tracks tasks, seasons, and locations, with pickers and packhouse operatives often on £11 to £13 per hour, rising for night shifts or piece rates. Tractor drivers and sprayer operators tend to earn around £13 to £17 per hour, with harvest machine operators earning higher during peak weeks. Farm supervisors can earn £28,000 to £38,000, and farm managers commonly earn £35,000 to £55,000, depending on acreage, crop mix, and accommodation. Employers usually pay recruitment fees of 12 per cent to 18 per cent of base pay for permanent hires, with temp agency costs built into hourly charge rates that cover holiday pay, NI, and margin. Clear job briefs, clean timesheets, and early approvals keep agency costs predictable and help retention.
Regional or geographic variations
Growers near Preston, Lancaster, and Garstang report steadier year-round demand for dairy and arable staff, while the Fylde and West Lancashire horticulture belt sees a sharp uplift in planting and harvesting months. Access to the M6, M61, M65, and M55 supports quick travel between farms and packhouses, helping recruitment consultants expand candidate pools for early starts. Employers near Whitehills Business Park, Buckshaw Village, and Walton Summit often draw from mixed labour pools, with candidates commuting in from Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, and Blackpool on main roads and rail links. Local recruiters know which travel corridors hold up at peak times and can schedule interviews to suit farm routines.
Hiring challenges
The labour market remains tight for experienced tractor drivers, sprayer operators, and telehandler operators. Early morning shifts and weekend rotas can deter new starters, so clear rota patterns, paid breaks where workable, and tidy welfare areas reduce churn. Housing near remote sites is a recurring problem, so agencies often favour candidates with cars or arrange shared transport from town pickup points. Employers who confirm start times 48 hours in advance and keep the kit ready on day one avoid rebriefs and missed shifts. Jobseekers respond well to honest descriptions of tasks, PPE needs, and piece rate bands before they travel.
Seasonal trends or themes
Seeding and planting lift temp demand in spring, with glasshouse and soft fruit peaks running through late spring and summer. Autumn brings cereal and root crop harvest roles, followed by soil work and yard maintenance. Many recruiters roll candidates between clients as fields switch tasks, which helps retention and keeps pay steady. Employers who pre-book blocks of cover two to four weeks out usually secure stronger workers for the busy window. Candidates looking for winter hours can often pick up packhouse work, machinery servicing, or stock tasks on larger estates.
Qualifications
Most entry roles need a solid work ethic, punctuality, and basic English for safety notes. Telehandler certificates, PA1 and PA2 spraying, and tractor ticket experience lift pay and speed up starts. Food hygiene awareness helps for packhouse shifts, with level 2 awards common for line leads. Larger sites may require DBS checks for staff who work near accommodation or on visitor farms. Recruitment consultants will scan for genuine time on kit, so log makes and models, field sizes, and implements used on your CV.
Roles and career paths
Local employment firms and staffing agencies place pickers, graders, packhouse operatives, tractor drivers, sprayer operators, herdspersons, and irrigation staff. With time and good references, workers can step up to line leader or harvest supervisor, then assistant farm manager. Some move into workshop roles, grain store teams, or logistics planning in packhouses. Employers who offer training on forklifts, telehandlers, and spray modules create a clear path and retain experienced hands for the next season.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Lancashire mixes dairy, cereals, potatoes, brassicas, soft fruit, and protected crops. West Lancashire near Ormskirk is strong on salad and glasshouse sites, with packhouses close to the motorway. The Ribble Valley and Fylde support mixed farms and livestock, with estates hiring year-round for stock work and machinery. Food manufacturers around Preston and along the M65 corridor add steady pack and dispatch roles, which gives agencies a wider spread of shifts to keep candidates busy between farm peaks. This variety helps local businesses find employees with the right background at short notice.
Recruitment routes and compliance
Agricultural recruitment agencies and recruitment consultants help with right-to-work checks, hours tracking, PPE notes, and site inductions. Executive search can be useful for farm managers, agronomists, and senior packhouse roles where confidentiality matters. Temp agencies manage AWR timelines and holiday accrual, with clear rates and assignment schedules provided in writing. Employers cut delays by sharing site maps, welfare rules, and chemical store restrictions before workers arrive. Jobseekers should bring photo ID, proof of address, and bank details to register with an agency and speed up their first shift.
Contracts and availability
Temporary, permanent, and contract work are all featured at Lancashire farms and packhouses. Many employers lift temp numbers Monday to Thursday, then run shorter Friday shifts to match pack plans. Permanent hires often start on probation, with pay reviews tied to harvest outcomes or kit responsibilities. Where overtime is common, clear banding helps avoid disputes and enables recruitment agencies to brief candidates honestly. Workers with flexible availability across early mornings and weekends tend to secure more hours and steadier pay rates.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What checks do agencies complete for farm work?
Right to work, basic health and safety, and reference calls are standard, with tickets verified for machinery or spraying roles.
How far ahead should I book temp cover for harvest?
Two to four weeks gives the best chance for experienced workers, with daily top-ups managed as crops ripen.
Do agencies supply transport to remote farms?
Some do on grouped routes, though many roles favour drivers with their own car for early starts and split shifts.
What are typical recruitment fees for hiring a farm manager?
Many agencies charge 12 per cent to 18 per cent of base salary, with rebates set out in the terms of business.
Can candidates move from seasonal to permanent roles?
Yes, strong attendance and solid references often lead to packhouse or farm assistant posts once the peak ends.