Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
SOC Code: 45-2093Also known as:
Agricultural Worker, Animal Care Taker, Animal Feeder, Animal Herder, Animal Husbandry Worker
Median Annual Salary
$36,150
-5.0% growth (2024-2034)
31K
Openings/Year
225K
Current Jobs
What Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals Do
Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.
💰 Salary
$36,150
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-5.0%
Decline
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
31K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
224,600
Projected Employment (2034)
213,400
Related Careers
Animal breeders
$52,000 •
+2.4% growth
Agricultural equipment operators
$42,580 •
+7.7% growth
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
$35,690 •
-3.3% growth
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
$37,700 •
+5.5% growth
Slaughterers and meat packers
$39,790 •
+2.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
- Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
- Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
- Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
- Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
- Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
- Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition.
- Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
- Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
- Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Some College
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals make?
The median annual salary for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is $36,150.
What education do farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals need?
Most farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals positions require a no formal educational credential.
Is becoming farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals a good career choice?
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals is projected to see -5.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 31,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals?
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals may also be known as: Agricultural Worker, Animal Care Taker, Animal Feeder, Animal Herder, Animal Husbandry Worker, Animal Keeper, Aquaculture Worker, Aquatic Laborer, Aquatic Life Laborer, Bait Digger, Barn Hand, Barn Worker, Bee Keeper, Bee Raiser, Bee Robber, Bee Tender, Bee Worker, Beekeeper, Bottler, Brush Cutter.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.