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.
Animal Breeders
SOC: 45-2021 O*NET: 45-2021.00
Median Salary
$52,000
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Animal Breeders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,130
10th percentile
Early Career
$43,310
25th percentile
Median
$52,000
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,630
75th percentile
Top Earners
$89,970
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,130
25th
$43,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,000
Mean: $56,150
75th
$59,630
90th
$89,970
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,840 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $43,310 and $59,630
- •Salary spread is 31.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,730 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,900
Top Industries
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting46.8%
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry46.8%
Support Activities for Animal Production46.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.4%
Annual Openings:1,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)7,900
Current
2034 (Projected)8,100
+2.4%
+200
Employment Change
+2.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Animal Breeders professionals work across the United States
Showing 9 of 9 locations
New York
220 jobs$50,4402.04x
Texas
110 jobs$48,2300.72x
Wisconsin
70 jobs$45,8402.18x
Alabama
50 jobs$29,1402.28x
Minnesota
40 jobs$48,6701.34x
Kentucky
30 jobs$45,7301.41x
Ohio
0 jobs$71,9300.00x
California
0 jobs$58,2400.00x
Idaho
0 jobs$48,6200.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Learning
92%
#3
Monitoring
82%
#4
Speaking
74%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#6
Active Listening
58%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
48%
#8
Science
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Learning
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
basic2.9
58%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.4
48%
Science
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Learning
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Science
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Animal Scientists80%
5 shared skills
Biological Technicians80%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians80%
5 shared skills
Forensic Science Technicians80%
5 shared skills
Physicians, Pathologists80%
5 shared skills
Upholsterers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Active Learning
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Animal Breeders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Place vaccines in drinking water, inject vaccines, or dust air with vaccine powder to protect animals from diseases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Exhibit animals at shows.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clip or shear hair on animals.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Animal Breeders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Animal Breeders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Animal Breeders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.25
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.06
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.88
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.74
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.72
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.1
Independence
3.9
Self-Control
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Initiative
3.5
Concern for Others
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Animal Breeders.
Browse Training Programs →