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.
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
SOC: 45-2093 O*NET: 45-2093.00
Median Salary
$36,670
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
31.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,360
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,020
25th percentile
Median
$36,670
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,700
75th percentile
Top Earners
$54,080
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,360
25th
$31,020
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,670
Mean: $39,260
75th
$45,700
90th
$54,080
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,020 and $45,700
- •Salary spread is 40.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 32,810 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:224,600
Top Industries
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry38.9%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting38.9%
Support Activities for Animal Production33.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5%
Annual Openings:31,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)224,600
Current
2034 (Projected)213,400
-5%
-11,100
Employment Change
-5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Texas
3,750 jobs$33,9201.26x
California
3,600 jobs$38,6400.94x
Kansas
1,340 jobs$37,0604.41x
Pennsylvania
1,330 jobs$35,3601.04x
Missouri
1,310 jobs$32,9502.11x
Alabama
1,300 jobs$36,6202.92x
Colorado
1,270 jobs$39,7402.09x
Iowa
1,240 jobs$36,4803.77x
Ohio
1,160 jobs$31,2000.99x
Washington
1,100 jobs$45,3701.46x
Wisconsin
930 jobs$32,9701.50x
North Carolina
910 jobs$38,7500.87x
Florida
820 jobs$36,7900.39x
Michigan
750 jobs$32,6600.80x
Kentucky
700 jobs$38,0301.67x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
100%
#3
Problem Sensitivity
100%
#4
Monitoring
94%
#5
Control Precision
92%
#6
Biology
90%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#8
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#9
Operations Monitoring
80%
#10
Administration and Management
80%
Skills Overview
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Control Precision
advanced4.6
92%
Biology
advanced4.5
90%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
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:
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Biology
advancedImportance90%
knowledge
4.5/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Deductive Reasoning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels100%
5 shared skills
Riggers100%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Biology
- ✓Administration and Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Speaking
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Biology
- ✓Administration and Management
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Biology
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Problem Sensitivity
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 Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
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
FREQUENT
💡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
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% 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 Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
💡 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?
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.28
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.15
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.05
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.04
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.98
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.54
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Independence
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Integrity
4.0
Initiative
3.5
Self-Control
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 Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
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