Characteristics of farms, farmers and hired laborers were examined to provide a basis for decisions about labor needs on Iowa farms. The study was limited to year-round farm jobs in large-sized enterprises to develop some knowledge of working conditions, renumerations, and skills which will be required in the future. A 3-phase study was conducted involving a mail questionnaire, personal interviews, and farm record analysis. Personal interviews were conducted with farmers and with their full-time hired men in six selected Iowa counties. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 861 of the 2,700 members of the Iowa Farm Business Association whose records were analyzed. For each farm type considered, the items most highly correlated with the amount of labor hired were the value of crop grown, the value of total working assets, and the particular livestock activities on that farm. The amount of labor hired was the result of the interaction of several variables. Most farmers were paying their full-time men in the traditional manner of a cash wage plus a house, some farm produce, and health and accident insurance, with possibility of a bonus at the end of the year. Most employees were rated as semi-skilled when given a choice of four skill levels ranging from unskilled to supervisory. This Master of Science thesis was submitted to Iowa State University. (DM)