Animal Breeder salary in California
Animal Breeders in California earn a median of $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,450 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $51,130. California ranks 2nd of 9 states for animal breeders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 animal breeders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal breeders in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 25th percentile | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Average (mean) | $66,550 | $32.00 |
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 | $4,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280 |
| Weekly | $1,140 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Breeder salary in cities in California
| 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 |
Highest-paying states for animal breeders
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $53,090 | $25.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $56,670 | $27.24 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Faller | $59,590 | $28.65 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for animal breeders in California is $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal breeders make in California?
The top 10% of animal breeders in California earn at least $94,450 a year. The top 25% earn $73,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal breeders in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,400 a year, and a quarter of animal breeders earn $55,120 or less.
How many animal breeders work in California?
About 410 animal breeders are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.