How to become an Animal Breeder
Official title: Animal Breeders
Also called: Animal Technician, Artificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician), Artificial Inseminator, Breeder, Dog Breeder, Large Herd Specialist
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.
Main 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.
How to become one
Most agricultural workers do not need a formal educational credential to enter these occupations; however, animal breeders typically need a high school diploma. Agricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Licence: A licence is required in 6 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $51,130 a year The middle half earn $44,320 to $62,080.
- About 6,900 people work in this job now, and about 7,100 are projected by 2035. (+3%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Related jobs
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
- Agricultural Equipment Operators
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Animal Breeder?
Most agricultural workers do not need a formal educational credential to enter these occupations; however, animal breeders typically need a high school diploma. Agricultural workers typically receive on-the-job training.
How much does an Animal Breeder earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $51,130 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $44,320 to $62,080.
Is an Animal Breeder a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 6,900 to about 7,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Animal Breeder?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Animal Breeder?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.