Occupation · SOC 45-2021
Animal Breeders
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 wage
$52,000
$37,130–$89,970
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
1,730
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
70 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingScienceActive LearningMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementBiologyMathematics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail software
Representative 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.Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.Arrange for sale of animals and eggs to hospitals, research centers, pet shops, and food processing plants.Place vaccines in drinking water, inject vaccines, or dust air with vaccine powder to protect animals from diseases.Bathe and groom animals.Exercise animals to keep them in healthy condition.Adjust controls to maintain specific building temperatures required for animals' health and safety.Maintain logs of semen specimens used and animals bred.Inject prepared animal semen into female animals for breeding purposes, by inserting nozzle of syringe into vagina and depressing syringe plunger.Clip or shear hair on animals.Package and label semen to be used for artificial insemination, recording information such as the date, source, quality, and concentration.Exhibit animals at shows.Measure specified amounts of semen into calibrated syringes, and insert syringes into inseminating guns.Examine semen microscopically to assess and record density and motility of gametes, and dilute semen with prescribed diluents, according to formulas.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine animal handling (haltering, restraint, sorting) — perform safely under a senior breeder's review on a commercial ranch.Estrous detection (visual signs, heat-detection aids) — record accurately on a defined breeding herd.AI equipment (straws, guns, tanks) — clean, stock, and maintain per the operation's protocol.Breeding records and identification (tags, tattoos, microchips) — maintain accurately across encounters.Basic biosecurity (boot baths, clean uniforms, isolation) — apply consistently on the farm.Stock-handling safety (kick zones, escape routes, weather) — follow without prompting.Routine pregnancy checks (palpation, ultrasound) — observe and assist a veterinarian.Semen handling (thawing, transport, storage) — perform per published technique.Daily feeding and observation on breeding stock — execute reliably with documented notes.Standard medication administration under directive — perform per protocol with supervision.
developing
Independent AI on routine breeding herds — perform reliably on cattle, swine, or small ruminants.Heat-detection and timed-AI programs — execute per the operation's protocol with measurable conception rates.Pedigree records and breed-association registrations — maintain accurately for a commercial operation.Bull/buck/boar selection by EPDs, indexes, and pedigree — apply with the breeding plan.Routine calving, farrowing, or lambing — manage with timely escalation to a vet.Cross-fence and pasture-mating logistics — plan and execute on a working ranch.Equipment troubleshooting (tanks, ultrasounds, syringes) — perform with documented checklists.Junior workers and apprentices — train on safety, recordkeeping, and technique.Standard health programs (vaccinations, parasite control) — administer per veterinarian's protocol.Breeding-season production records — maintain and summarize for the manager.
proficient
Breeding programs across a herd or stud — design, execute, and adjust on conception, health, and genetic gain.Embryo transfer and synchronization protocols — lead with veterinarians on elite cows or mares.Genetic-selection strategies — apply using EPDs, GxE, and crossbreeding plans at herd scale.Breed-association leadership at the local level — contribute through committees and shows.Replacement-heifer and gilt programs — design and execute for genetic improvement.Calving/lambing/farrowing season operations — lead a multi-person crew through the cycle.Sales and consignment programs — manage from selection through delivery and warranty.Records systems (CalfBook, PigCHAMP, ranch software) — own end-to-end for the operation.Continuous-improvement projects (heat-stress, fertility, weaning) — pilot and scale.Junior breeders and breeding-program staff — supervise across a small team.
advanced
Strategic breeding plans for a stud, ranch, or multi-farm operation — set direction across years and generations.Industry partnerships with AI studs, embryo-transfer companies, and veterinary teaching programs — own with sustained outcomes.Breed-association leadership — hold board or executive roles with measurable program improvements.Major sales, consignments, and exports — lead at scale with brand-building outcomes.Genetic improvement programs — direct with quantitative selection tools and benchmarking.Talent pipelines — build with universities and breed associations to staff the operation and industry.Capital decisions (genetics inventory, embryo-transfer programs) — own with executive sponsorship.Disaster planning (disease incursion, weather, market shocks) — lead at operation level.Industry standards, biosecurity, and welfare programs — advance through committee leadership.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through training and certification.
Also known as
34 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Dairy Husbandry WorkerLarge Animal Husbandry TechnicianHorse BreederArtificial InseminatorLarge Herd SpecialistBee BreederLivestock BreederAviculturistAnimal BreederPoultry InseminatorFur FarmerCanary BreederAnimal TechnicianBreederHog-Confinement-System ManagerAnimal HusbandmanPoultry Husbandry WorkerPoultry BreederReptile FarmerArtificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician)Livestock RancherCat BreederRabbit FancierPoultry HusbandmanDog BreederRat CulturistEquine BreederUnit Supply Specialist (Army 92Y)Animal Husbandry TechnicianPigeon FancierAnimal Care Specialist (Army 68T)Dairy HusbandmanHusbandry TechnicianChicken Fancier