Animal Breeders
Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock.
Is animal breeders a good career?
It scores 12/100 and ranks #612 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($51,130 vs $61,390)
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.4%)
What animal breeders earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. animal breeders earn between $44,320 and $62,080 a year.
Best-paying states
Live animal breeders jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Agricultural workers typically need no formal educational credential. However, animal breeders typically need a high school diploma, and some jobs require postsecondary education.
Training
Many agricultural workers receive short-term on-the-job training of up to 1 month. Employers instruct them on how to use simple farming tools and complex machinery while following safety procedures. Agricultural equipment operators may need more extensive training before being allowed to operate expensive farming equipment.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some agricultural workers, especially those who operate equipment, need a valid driver’s license. Agricultural workers who handle pesticides might need a pesticide applicator license. And in a few states, certain types of animal breeders must be licensed. Check with your state licensing boards
Advancement
Agricultural workers may advance to crew leader or other supervisory positions. The ability to speak both English and Spanish is helpful for agricultural supervisors.
Some agricultural workers aspire to become farmers, ranchers, or agricultural managers or to own their own farms and ranches. Knowledge of produce and livestock may provide an excellent background for becoming buyers or purchasing agents of farm products. Those who earn a college degree in agricultural science could become agricultural or food scientists.
Important qualities
Dexterity. Agricultural workers need excellent hand-eye coordination to harvest crops and operate farm machinery.
Listening skills. Agricultural workers must listen carefully to ensure that they understand instructions from farmers and other agricultural managers and supervisors.
Mechanical skills. Agricultural workers must be able to operate complex farm machinery. They also occasionally do routine maintenance on the equipment.
Physical stamina. Agricultural workers must have physical endurance because they do laborious tasks repeatedly.
Physical strength. Agricultural workers must be strong enough to lift heavy objects, including tools and crops.
Related occupations
How much do animal breeders make?
The national median wage is $51,130 a year, with the middle half earning between $44,320 and $62,080 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is animal breeders a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 12 of 100 and ranks #612 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a animal breeder?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do animal breeders earn the most?
Among states, Ohio pays the highest median ($68,980). Local pay for every state and metro is below.