How much does a ranch worker make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical ranch worker in the United States makes $36,670 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A ranch worker may feed and water cattle, move the herd, and check animals for illness or injuries. They keep care records, give medicine or vaccines when needed, and clean pens and shelters.
Did you know? Some U.S. animal farmworkers help livestock give birth—a surprising part of caring for cattle and other farm animals.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $27,360 and $54,080How do you become one?
In the U.S., most people can apply without a formal education credential and learn the tools and safety rules on the job. Some equipment operators need a driver’s license, and workers who handle pesticides may need an applicator license.
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 or industry, location, and how specialized or demanding the animal-care tasks are; a job-related license may help. More hours or different shifts can also change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Minnesota ($46,020), lowest in Ohio ($31,200).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,360 | $36,670 | $54,080 | about 33,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $46,020 | about 580 |
| Washington | $45,370 | about 1,000 |
| Colorado | $39,740 | about 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $38,750 | about 910 |
| Virginia | $38,670 | about 630 |
Official definition: 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.
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.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes452093.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY