Animal Breeder salary in the U.S.
Animal Breeders in the U.S. earn a median of $51,130 a year ($24.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,550 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $57,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal breeders in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Median | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| 75th percentile | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,550 | $43.53 |
| Average (mean) | $57,010 | $27.41 |
Half of animal breeders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,260.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,130.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,966.54 |
| Weekly | $983.27 |
| Hourly | $24.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Breeder salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $68,980 | 80 |
| California | $59,280 | 410 |
| Alabama | $53,200 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $51,130 | 40 |
| Texas | $48,410 | 60 |
| New York | $48,350 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $47,900 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $44,850 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $40,220 | 40 |
Best-paying metro areas for animal breeders
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $69,070 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $58,440 | n/a |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $49,350 | 50 |
Metro areas with the most animal breeders
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 50 | $49,350 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Faller | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal breeder make in the U.S.?
The median salary for animal breeders in the U.S. is $51,130 a year, or $24.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal breeders make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of animal breeders in the U.S. earn at least $90,550 a year. The top 25% earn $62,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal breeders in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of animal breeders earn $44,320 or less.
How many animal breeders work in the U.S.?
About 1,330 animal breeders are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.