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 ThinkingSpeakingScienceMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningActive LearningReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringWritingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlCoordinationSystems AnalysisService OrientationPersuasionSystems EvaluationMathematicsManagement of Financial ResourcesLearning StrategiesTroubleshootingManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesInstructingNegotiationOperations AnalysisProgrammingEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementBiologyMathematicsAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageMechanicalEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingTransportationChemistryMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityBuilding and ConstructionCommunications and MediaEngineering and TechnologyGeographyPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsPsychologyDesignSociology and AnthropologyPhysicsForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsPhilosophy and Theology
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopBreedtrakEmail softwareKinTraksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordQuestionmark PerceptionRespondusReudink Software ZooEasyVSN International GenStatWinners Programs BirdStudWinners Programs Uni-Stud
Representative tasks
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsWorking with ComputersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicThinking CreativelyAnalyzing Data or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
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
29 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Animal BreederAnimal HusbandmanAnimal Husbandry TechnicianAnimal TechnicianArtificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician)Artificial InseminatorAviculturistBee BreederBreederCanary BreederCat BreederChicken FancierDairy HusbandmanDairy Husbandry WorkerDog BreederEquine BreederFur FarmerHorse BreederHusbandry TechnicianLarge Animal Husbandry TechnicianLarge Herd SpecialistLivestock BreederPigeon FancierPoultry BreederPoultry HusbandmanPoultry Husbandry WorkerPoultry InseminatorRabbit FancierRat Culturist