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Agriculture and Natural Resources

Animal Breeders

Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Animal Breeders
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Median pay

$52,000
Median annual pay for Animal Breeders.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

7,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Animal Breeders in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Learning
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Science
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Sales and Marketing
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Biology
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Administrative

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Category Flexibility
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Arm-Hand Steadiness
  6. 6Far Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Perseverance
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Documenting/Recording Information
  4. 4Handling and Moving Objects
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Freedom to Make Decisions
  2. 2Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  3. 3Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  4. 4Consequence of Error
  5. 5Outdoors, Under Cover
  6. 6Telephone Conversations

Representative tasks

  • Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
  • Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
  • Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
  • Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
  • Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
  • Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
  • Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
  • Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.

Software and tools

Adobe Acrobat · hot technologyAdobe Creative Cloud software · hot technologyAdobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe InDesign · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.