Life As an Animal Breeder

Career 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.

A Day in the Life of an Animal Breeder

• Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.
• Maintain logs of semen specimens used and animals bred.
• Perform procedures such as animal dehorning or castration.
• Exhibit animals at shows.
• Package and label semen to be used for artificial insemination, recording information such as the date, source, quality, and concentration.
• Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Animal Breeder?

Animal Breeders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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

• Dog Breeder
• Poultry Breeder
• Stallion Manager
• Aviculturist
• Artificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician)

Job Opportunities for Animal Breeders

There were about 9,000 jobs for Animal Breeder in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

Salary for an Animal Breeder

Animal Breeders make between $25,220 and $67,180 a year.

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 is needed to be an Animal Breeder?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Animal Breeder?

Animal Breeders Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Animal Breeders employed by various industries.

References:

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

Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.