Animal Husbandry: Salary and Career Facts

<h2 id="section---WhatIsAnimalHusbandry">What Is Animal Husbandry?</h2> <p>Animal husbandry is a career devoted to breeding animals in order to improve desirable traits while mitigating less desirable ones. This requires knowledge of animal genetics, which could be obtained through a degree program or through close on-the-job observation. Animal husbandry professionals could work with one or many types of animal to improve genetics of a population through breeding. This job is critically important to farmers and other professionals relying on the productivity or vigor of animals to earn a living. </p> <p>As an animal breeder, you'll keep detailed records to note things like the amount and quality of product animals produce, as well as the traits exhibited by their offspring. Learn more about this career in the following chart. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Some employers require an associate's or higher</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Animal husbandry, animal science or a related field</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Animal monitoring, analysis and selection; artificial insemination</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> -3%* (for animal breeders)</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Average Salary (May 2020)</b> </td><td> $43,080* (for animal breeders)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatWillMyCareerInAnimalHusbandryEntail">What Will My Career in Animal Husbandry Entail?</h3> <p>It will be your responsibility to choose animals for breeding that will ultimately display the traits desired by your clients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), desirable traits might include sheep that produce thicker wool or cows that produce more milk. You may work with a wide range of animals, including chickens, goats, cattle and other farm animals. You may also work with domestic animals, including cats, dogs and pet birds. </p> <p>To increase your chances for successful breeding, you must understand the physiology of the animals you are attempting to breed; this requires careful monitoring and analysis of the animals. You may breed animals using artificial insemination; this is most common with very expensive or large animals, including horses. Your work in animal husbandry may involve a mix of outdoor and laboratory-based work; you might need to travel to clients' farms. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchCouldIEarn">How Much Could I Earn?</h3> <p>According to the BLS, the mean annual salary for animal breeders in 2020 was $43,930. The highest concentration of animal breeders was in Texas, where approximately 110 individuals were employed in this field. The annual mean salary for breeders in Pennsylvania was $35,910. The highest-paying state for this occupation in 2020 was Pennsylvania, with an average salary of $57,900. Breeders in Idaho had the second-highest average annual salary among all states at $53,990 in 2020, as reported by the BLS. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfDegreeProgramsAreAvailable">What Types of Degree Programs are Available?</h3> <p>You can begin your career in animal husbandry without formal education, though earning a degree may be required by some employers. You can study animal husbandry at the associate's, bachelor's or master's degree level. Both <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Animal_Science_Associates_Degree_Answers_To_Your_Questions.html">animal science</a> and agriculture business programs may include coursework in animal breeding, with some programs offering concentrations in this field. </p> <p>The study of animal husbandry involves learning about various animals with regards to physiology and behaviors. You'll also study genetics in order to better understand how to achieve the best results when breeding. Related to genetics is the study of statistics; the potential expenses and complications associated with animal husbandry make a keen knowledge of statistical analysis useful. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3> <p>Another option for animal lovers is to become an animal care and service worker. It is possible to start an entry-level job in this field with just a high school diploma, and the work involves any basic task necessary to care for animals. This might mean feeding, grooming, or exercising. Another career choice to consider is farming or ranching. Farmers and ranchers manage or work on establishments that raise livestock to produce meat, dairy, or other animal products. While many of these professionals have only a high school diploma and extensive farming experience, some complete postsecondary training as well.</p>