Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingSpeakingScienceMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem Solving
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Animal Breeder pay by experience level
Entry level$40,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$46,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$53,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$64,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$93,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+2.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,200
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Animal Breeder salary by industry
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry
750 workers
$57,000
Support Activities for Animal Production
750 workers
$57,000
Food Manufacturing
110 workers
$58,000
Animal Slaughtering and Processing
100 workers
$59,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$68,500
Scientific Research and Development Services$68,500
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries$51,000
Spectator Sports$51,000
Personal and Laundry Services$53,500
Other Personal Services$53,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Animal Breeder pays 17% above the average across 13 roles in the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry job family (family average $50,500).
Similar-paying roles in Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Need Animal Breeder pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
