How much does a animal breeder make?
The median animal breeder in the United States earns $52,000 per year, about $25.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all animal breeders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 45-2021.
Animal breeder salary range
Pay for animal breeders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,130 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $89,970. The average (mean) wage of $56,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,130 | $17.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,310 | $20.82 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,000 | $25.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,630 | $28.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $89,970 | $43.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for animal breeders (SOC 45-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Animal breeder salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Animal breeders earn the most in Ohio at $71,930 a year, and the least in Alabama at $29,140. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $71,930 | N/A |
| California | $58,240 | N/A |
| New York | $50,440 | 220 |
| Minnesota | $48,670 | 40 |
| Idaho | $48,620 | N/A |
| Texas | $48,230 | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $45,840 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $45,730 | 30 |
| Alabama | $29,140 | 50 |
State median wages for animal breeders (SOC 45-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for animal breeders
The BLS projects employment of animal breeders to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for animal breeders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an animal breeder
The typical entry-level education for animal breeders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an animal breeder earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $71,930) and the lowest (Alabama, $29,140) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,730 people work as animal breeders in the United States. At $52,000 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Animal breeder salary FAQ
How much does an animal breeder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an animal breeder is $25.00. The middle half of animal breeders earn between $20.82 and $28.67 per hour.
What is the highest animal breeder salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of animal breeders earn more than $89,970 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an animal breeder make a year?
The median annual salary for an animal breeder is $52,000. The average (mean) wage of $56,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an animal breeder a well paid job?
At $52,000 a year, an animal breeder earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,730 people work as animal breeders in the United States.
Which state pays animal breeders the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for animal breeders at $71,930 a year. California ($58,240) and New York ($50,440) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an animal breeder a good career?
Employment of animal breeders is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an animal breeder?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for animal breeders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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