What Does it Take to Be an Animal Breeder?

Position Description 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.

Life As an Animal Breeder

• Attach rubber collecting sheaths to genitals of tethered bull and stimulate animal’s organ to induce ejaculation.
• Exercise animals to keep them in healthy condition.
• Clip or shear hair on animals.
• Package and label semen to be used for artificial insemination, recording information such as the date, source, quality, and concentration.
• Perform procedures such as animal dehorning or castration.
• Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.

Skills Needed to be an Animal Breeder

These are the skills Animal Breeders say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Types of Animal Breeder Jobs

• Stallion Manager
• Livestock Rancher
• Fur Farmer
• Breeding Manager
• Dairy Husbandry Worker

Is There Going to be Demand for Animal Breeders?

In the United States, there were 9,000 jobs for Animal Breeder in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Animal Breeder by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,400 positions for Animal Breeder per year.

The states with the most job growth for Animal Breeder are Missouri, Texas, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in North Carolina, Maryland, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Animal Breeder Salary

The average yearly salary of an Animal Breeder ranges between $25,220 and $67,180.

Animal Breeders who work in Ohio, Washington, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.

How much do Animal Breeders make in each U.S. state?

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$39,360
Florida	$38,720
Iowa	$33,880
Kentucky	$43,880
Michigan	$33,100
Missouri	$49,500
New Jersey	$44,920
New York	$45,010
Ohio	$64,700
South Dakota	$38,230
Tennessee	$44,640
Texas	$40,000
Virginia	$48,230
Washington	$59,980
Wisconsin	$40,060

What Tools & Technology do Animal Breeders Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Animal Breeders may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access
• Email software
• Microsoft Windows
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite

How to Become an Animal Breeder

What education or degrees do I need to become an Animal Breeder?

What work experience do I need to become an Animal Breeder?

Where do Animal Breeders Work?

Below are examples of industries where Animal Breeders work:

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.