Who Earns What

How much does an animal breeder make?

US Animal Breeders
$51,130

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 know
This job$51,130
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $38,480 and $90,550
54 of 100
more than half

How 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
Whole US$51,130
Ohio$68,980
California$59,280
Alabama$53,200
Wisconsin$51,130
Texas$48,410
Minnesota$47,900
South Dakota$44,850
Nebraska$40,220

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Animal breeder pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$38,480$51,130$90,550about 1,000
States where animal breeders earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Ohio$68,980about 80
California$59,280about 410
Alabama$53,200about 60
Wisconsin$51,130about 40
Texas$48,410about 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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY