CFChooseField
Agriculture and Natural Resources

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Median pay

$36,150
Median annual pay for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

31,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

224,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-11,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
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. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Biology
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Mechanical
  6. 6Food Production

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Oral Comprehension
  6. 6Near Vision

Career interests

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

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Stress Tolerance
  3. 3Perseverance
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  5. 5Handling and Moving Objects
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Exposed to Contaminants
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Spend Time Standing
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  6. 6Telephone Conversations

Representative tasks

  • Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
  • Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
  • Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
  • Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
  • Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
  • Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
  • Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition.
  • Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyBCL Landview Systems WinCropFarm Works Software TracLancaster DHIA PCDARTValley Agricultural Software DairyCOMP 305Web browser software

Sources

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