Animal Breeders and Technicians

Animal breeders and technicians help breed, raise, and market a variety of animals: cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, mules, and poultry for livestock; pets such as canaries, parrots, dogs, and cats; and other more exotic animals such as ostriches, alligators, minks, and many zoo animals. Technicians who are primarily involved with the breeding and feeding of animals are sometimes referred to as animal husbandry technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there were approximately 6,500 animal breeders in the United States in 2022.

Breeders and technicians are concerned with the propagation, feeding, housing, health, production, and marketing of animals. These technicians work in many different settings and capacities. They may supervise unskilled farm workers; serve as field representatives assisting in the sales of animals to customers; work in kennels, stables, ranches, or zoos reproducing species and breeds for other clients or their own organization; or work on their own on a particular breed of interest. The diversity of employment available for well-trained and well-qualified animal breeders and technicians makes this career extremely flexible. As science progresses, opportunities for these technicians should broaden.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $75,000

Minimum Education Level

Some Postsecondary Training

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

Little Change or More Slowly than the Average

Personality Traits

Conventional

Hands On

Technical

Career Ladder

Livestock Ranch Owner, or Feedlot Manager, or Consultant

Animal Breeder/Technician

Assistant Animal Breeder/Technician