SalariesWhat the occupation covers
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. Excludes “Animal Scientists” (19-1011) whose primary function is research and “Animal Caretakers” (39-2021) who may occasionally breed animals as part of their other caretaking duties.
Official definition from the Standard Occupational Classification, code 45-2021.
The pay range
Pay differs a lot inside one occupation, with experience, employer and place. The table shows where the lines fall.
| Share of workers | A year | A month* | A week* | An hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn less than | $38,480 | $3,207 | $740 | $18.50 |
| Lowest 25% earn less than | $44,320 | $3,693 | $852 | $21.31 |
| Median (half earn less, half more) | $51,130 | $4,261 | $983 | $24.58 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $62,080 | $5,173 | $1,194 | $29.85 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $90,550 | $7,546 | $1,741 | $43.53 |
* Month and week are the yearly figure divided by 12 and by 52, worked out here for convenience. BLS publishes the yearly and hourly figures.
How it compares
The median for all occupations in the United States was $50,980 a year. The median for Animal Breeders is $51,130, which is about the same. Among the 13 occupations of the field Farming, Fishing, and Forestry, it ranks number 3 by median pay. With 1,330 jobs, it makes up about 0.1 of every 10,000 jobs in the country. The average ($57,010) is well above the median, a sign that a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up.
Animal Breeders pay by state
The highest median pay was in Ohio ($68,980), California ($59,280) and Alabama ($53,200). The lowest was in Nebraska ($40,220), South Dakota ($44,850) and Minnesota ($47,900). The most jobs were in California (410), Minnesota (170) and New York (140). The occupation is most concentrated in South Dakota, where its share of all jobs is 10.7 times the national share.
No state matches.
| State | Jobs | Median a year | Average a year | Median an hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 80 | $68,980 | $82,540 | $33.16 |
| California | 410 | $59,280 | $66,550 | $28.50 |
| Alabama | 60 | $53,200 | $45,970 | $25.58 |
| Wisconsin | 40 | $51,130 | $49,890 | $24.58 |
| Texas | 60 | $48,410 | $52,370 | $23.27 |
| New York | 140 | $48,350 | $52,410 | $23.25 |
| Minnesota | 170 | $47,900 | $49,200 | $23.03 |
| South Dakota | 40 | $44,850 | $44,170 | $21.56 |
| Nebraska | 40 | $40,220 | $41,690 | $19.34 |
Sorted by median pay, highest first. "Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for the state, usually because too few employers were surveyed. "$239,200 or more" is the highest value BLS reports in the state tables.
Similar occupations by pay
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$59,320 a year
- Fallers$52,100 a year
- Logging Workers, All Other$50,840 a year
- Agricultural Inspectors$49,940 a year
- Logging Equipment Operators$49,740 a year
Common questions
How much do Animal Breeders earn in the United States?
The median pay was $51,130 a year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,480 and the highest-paid 10% more than $90,550.
How many people work as Animal Breeders?
About 1,330 jobs in the United States in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.