How much does a animal breeder make?
Answer: A typical animal breeder in the United States makes $51,130 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 1,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Animal breeder pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a animal breeder do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
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.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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