Work in Washington · Harvest

Harvest Jobs in Washington State

Washington produces more apples than any other state in the country. The harvest season runs from July through November and creates thousands of jobs for mobile workers every year.

Washington's Harvest Season: The Basics

Washington State produces 60–70% of the apples grown in the United States. The Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, and the Columbia Basin are the heart of the state's agricultural economy. The harvest season creates an enormous demand for workers from July through November — cherries in July, hops in August and September, apples from August through November.

For van lifers and mobile workers, the Washington harvest season is one of the best income opportunities in the country. The work is physically demanding but pays well, housing is often available on or near the farm, and the eastern Washington landscape — dry, sunny, and dramatic — is a welcome change from the wet west side of the Cascades.

Cherry Harvest (July)

The cherry harvest is the first major harvest of the season and one of the most lucrative for piece-rate workers. Cherries are picked by hand and paid by the bin — experienced pickers can earn $200–$400/day during peak harvest. The work is fast-paced and the season is short (2–4 weeks), which means you need to be in position and ready to work when the harvest starts.

The main cherry growing regions are the Wenatchee Valley, the Okanogan, and the Yakima area. The harvest timing varies by elevation and variety — lower elevation orchards harvest first, higher elevation orchards harvest later. A mobile worker who follows the harvest can extend the cherry season to 4–6 weeks by moving between regions.

What to Expect

Cherry picking starts at dawn and ends when the heat of the day makes the fruit too warm to pick (usually early afternoon). You work fast, you work hard, and you stop when the foreman says stop. The work is not complicated — you pick cherries, fill bins, and move to the next tree. The physical demands are real: you are on a ladder for hours, reaching overhead, and carrying heavy bins.

Hop Harvest (August–September)

The Yakima Valley produces 75% of the hops grown in the United States. The hop harvest runs from late August through mid-September and creates significant demand for workers. Unlike cherry picking, most hop harvest work is machine-assisted — workers feed hop bines into harvesting machines, sort hops on conveyor lines, and handle the dried product. The work is less physically demanding than cherry picking but still requires stamina.

Hop harvest positions typically pay $15–$20/hour and run 10–12 hour days during the 3–4 week harvest window. Some farms provide housing for harvest workers. The Yakima Valley in September is beautiful — warm days, cool nights, and the smell of fresh hops in the air.

Apple Harvest (August–November)

The apple harvest is the longest and largest harvest in Washington. It runs from early August (early varieties like Gala and Honeycrisp) through November (late varieties like Fuji and Granny Smith). The harvest creates demand for pickers, bin movers, sorters, and packinghouse workers throughout the season.

Picking vs Packinghouse Work

Apple picking is piece-rate work — you are paid by the bin. Experienced pickers earn $150–$300/day. Packinghouse work (sorting, packing, and shipping apples) is hourly — $15–$20/hour for 8–10 hour days. Packinghouse work is less physically demanding than picking and runs longer into the season (through December at some facilities).

Housing

Many apple orchards provide housing for harvest workers — typically a bunkhouse or a designated camping area. The quality varies significantly. Ask specifically about housing before accepting a position. Some farms charge for housing ($5–$15/day deducted from wages); others provide it free. Van lifers and RVers often prefer to camp nearby rather than use farm housing, which gives more flexibility.

Where to Find Harvest Jobs in Washington

The Washington State Employment Security Department posts harvest job listings at worksourcewa.com. The Yakima WorkSource office is the main resource for Yakima Valley harvest work. The Wenatchee WorkSource office covers the Wenatchee and Okanogan regions.

OGS lists harvest and agricultural positions in Washington. Browse current Washington listings to find positions that fit your timeline. Create a free Trekkie profile and mark yourself available — Washington farm employers can find you based on your location and availability.

Also read our guide to workamping vs seasonal work for a broader comparison of income options for mobile workers.