What is an Animal Breeder?
Occupation Description 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.
List of Animal Breeder Job Duties
- Maintain logs of semen specimens used and animals bred.
- Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
- Inject prepared animal semen into female animals for breeding purposes, by inserting nozzle of syringe into vagina and depressing syringe plunger.
- Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.
- Perform procedures such as animal dehorning or castration.
- Prepare containers of semen for freezing and storage or shipment, placing them in dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
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Animal Breeder Required Skills
When polled, Animal Breeders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Animal Breeder
- Animal Technician
- Husbandry Technician
- Equine Manager
- Rat Culturist
What Kind of Animal Breeder Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 9,000 jobs in the United States for Animal Breeder. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Animal Breeder by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Animal Breeder are Missouri, Texas, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in North Carolina, Maryland, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Animal Breeder
Animal Breeders make between $25,220 and $67,180 a year.

Animal Breeders who work in Ohio, Washington, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.
How much do Animal Breeders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $39,360 |
Florida | $38,720 |
Iowa | $33,880 |
Kentucky | $43,880 |
Michigan | $33,100 |
Missouri | $49,500 |
New Jersey | $44,920 |
New York | $45,010 |
Ohio | $64,700 |
South Dakota | $38,230 |
Tennessee | $44,640 |
Texas | $40,000 |
Virginia | $48,230 |
Washington | $59,980 |
Wisconsin | $40,060 |
What Tools & Technology do Animal Breeders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Animal Breeders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
How to Become an Animal Breeder
Individuals working as an Animal Breeder have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become an Animal Breeder?

Where do Animal Breeders Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Animal Breeders employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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