Farm Labor
The Agricultural Labor Survey underwent major changes beginning with the July 1996 survey. Sample sizes and the
number of published estimates were scaled back to regional emphasis. Quarterly estimates were discontinued for
Michigan, though regional and U.S. estimates are still available. For most states, including Michigan, only annual
averages for a reduced number of categories are now published.
The purpose of this survey is to provide national estimates of the number of farm workers, hours worked, and wage
rates. Data from this survey are used to compute income components of the Gross Domestic Product for the farm
sector. These data are further used as a component of the Parity Index.
The survey collects data for the one week period that includes the 12th day of the month. Uncontrollable variables,
such as weather, can affect the estimates.
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Table 4.1 Farm Labor, Michigan
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[All numbers are annual averages]
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Year
|
Workers
|
Hours worked
|
Wage rates
|
|
Self
employed
|
Unpaid
|
Hired
|
Hired
workers
|
All hired
workers
|
Field
workers
|
Field and
livestock
workers
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Hours per week
|
Dollars per hour
|
|
1993
|
(1)
|
(1)
|
22,000
|
36.2
|
6.36
|
6.02
|
6.12
|
|
1994
|
(1)
|
(1)
|
26,000
|
35.5
|
6.40
|
5.97
|
5.99
|
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1995
|
38,000
|
11,800
|
25,000
|
39.2
|
6.64
|
6.40
|
6.33
|
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1996
|
39,800
|
10,300
|
17,800
|
34.5
|
6.96
|
6.73
|
6.61
|
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1997
|
38,300
|
8,500
|
21,800
|
36.9
|
7.14
|
6.78
|
6.62
|
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1 Data not available.
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