Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

SOC: 45-2093 O*NET: 45-2093.00
Median Salary
$36,150
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?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$27,110
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,220
25th percentile
Median
$36,150
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,280
75th percentile
Top Earners
$51,840
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$27,110
25th
$31,220
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,150
Mean: $38,580
75th
$44,280
90th
$51,840
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $24,730 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $31,220 and $44,280
  • Salary spread is 36.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 35,420 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

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting35.8%
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry35.8%
Support Activities for Animal Production29.2%

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
California
5,760 jobs$35,3101.39x
Texas
4,140 jobs$33,0501.30x
Missouri
1,610 jobs$34,4002.40x
Colorado
1,420 jobs$41,2302.14x
Kansas
1,370 jobs$36,9404.17x
Pennsylvania
1,330 jobs$35,0400.96x
Iowa
1,310 jobs$34,7403.65x
Alabama
1,300 jobs$35,1502.71x
Oregon
1,160 jobs$35,3602.57x
Wisconsin
1,070 jobs$36,1001.59x
Virginia
1,040 jobs$37,3401.11x
Ohio
980 jobs$30,8900.77x
Washington
960 jobs$43,5401.17x
North Carolina
880 jobs$35,2300.78x
Florida
740 jobs$34,9600.33x

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

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Operations Monitoring
80%
#5
Operation and Control
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%

Skills Overview

Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%

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

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Monitoring

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Operations Monitoring

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Operation and Control

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Coordination

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

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
Learn on the Job:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Coordination

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Operation and Control

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 Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology 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:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform
7

Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 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 Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.28

Independence

Very Important

Independence

Importance Level4.15

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.05

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.04

Integrity

Important

Integrity

Importance Level3.98

Initiative

Important

Initiative

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

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