Animal Breeders: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Animal Breeders fall under the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry category in the U.S. occupational classification. Animal Breeders earn a median salary of $52,000 per year, ranking in the top 59% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do animal breeders earn?

The median annual wage for animal breeders is $52,000. That puts animal breeders at #474 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is animal breeders a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for animal breeders is +2.4%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 7K positions in 2024 to 8K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do animal breeders do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working animal breeders, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
2. 2.Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
3. 3.Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
4. 4.Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
5. 5.Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
6. 6.Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
7. 7.Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
8. 8.Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.

Top skills for animal breeders

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become animal breeder?

Many animal breeders enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
  $59,330 median
• Fallers
  $53,900 median
• Logging Workers, All Other
  $52,000 median
• Agricultural Inspectors
  $50,990 median
• Logging Equipment Operators
  $49,210 median
• Log Graders and Scalers
  $46,710 median

Common questions parents ask about animal breeders