Animal Breeders
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.
Also called: Animal Breeder, Animal Husbandman, Animal Husbandry Technician, Animal Technician, Artificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician), Artificial Inseminator
Median pay
$51,130
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$38,480 – $90,550
People employed
1,330
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Animal Breeders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (9 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What animal breeders do
- 01Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
- 02Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
- 03Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
- 04Arrange for sale of animals and eggs to hospitals, research centers, pet shops, and food processing plants.
- 05Place vaccines in drinking water, inject vaccines, or dust air with vaccine powder to protect animals from diseases.
- 06Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Biology
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from animal breeders
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation75% · −9%
- Log Graders and Scalers71% · −9%
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians69% · −7%
- Pest Control Workers69% · −12%
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers69% · −25%
Change into animal breeders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Animal Caretakers79% · $35,360
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers77% · $40,130
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation75% · $46,340
- Animal Trainers73% · $39,990
- Log Graders and Scalers71% · $46,330
Majors that lead here
- Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production
- Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management
- Apiculture
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.