Farming, fishing and forestry
Animal breeder
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.
Median pay
$51,130
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,000
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Animal breeder
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Animal breeder: 47% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
- Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
- Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.
Also called: Animal Technician · Artificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician) · Artificial Inseminator · Breeder · Dog Breeder · Large Herd Specialist
Outlook and AI
Animal breeders held 6,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 7,100 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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