How much does an animal breeder make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical animal breeder in the United States makes $51,130 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check animals’ health and traits, choose which animals to breed, and may use prepared semen for breeding. They record animals’ weights, growth, diets, and breeding results while caring for them.
Did you know? In the U.S., some animal breeders use a syringe to place prepared sperm inside a female animal to help it reproduce.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $38,480 and $90,550How do you become one?
In the U.S., animal breeders usually need a high school diploma; some jobs ask for more schooling, and livestock experience can help. They often learn on the job, and certain types of breeders need a license in a few states.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skills, the employer and location, and how difficult or responsible the work is. Some states license certain kinds of breeders, so requirements can differ by job and place.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Ohio ($68,980), lowest in Nebraska ($40,220).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,480 | $51,130 | $90,550 | about 1,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $68,980 | about 80 |
| California | $59,280 | about 410 |
| Alabama | $53,200 | about 60 |
| Wisconsin | $51,130 | about 40 |
| Texas | $48,410 | about 60 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Animal Scientists” (19-1011) whose primary function is research and “Animal Caretakers” (39-2021) who may occasionally breed animals as part of their other caretaking duties.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/Farming-Fishing-and-Forestry/Agricultural-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/45-2021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY