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Salary comparison

Animal Breeders vs. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals: Who Earns More?

Animal Breeders out-earn Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Animal Breeders land at $51,130 and Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals at $36,670. The education gap is real: animal breeder programs typically require no formal educational credential, while farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Animal Breeders is Ohio ($68,980); for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals it's Alaska ($50,450).

Animal Breeders
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Median salary
$51,130
$36,670
Hourly rate
$24.58/hr
$17.63/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,480
$27,360
Senior level (90th %)
$90,550
$54,080
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
1,330
32,810
Job growth (10-year)
2.4%
-5%
Category
Farming & Fishing
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Ohio
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Animal Breeders median pay.

State
Animal Breeders
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Ohio
$68,980
$31,200
California
$59,280
$38,640
Alabama
$53,200
$36,620
Wisconsin
$51,130
$32,970
Texas
$48,410
$33,920
New York
$48,350
$34,860
Minnesota
$47,900
$46,020
South Dakota
$44,850
$38,000
Nebraska
$40,220
$37,220

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Animal Breeders or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?

Animal Breeders earn more nationally. The median is $51,130 for Animal Breeders versus $36,670 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Animal Breeders or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?

Animal Breeders has the better 10-year outlook at 2.4% projected growth, compared to -5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Animal Breeders or Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals?

Animal Breeders typically requires no formal educational credential. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Animal Breeders get paid the most?

Ohio is the top-paying state for Animal Breeders at $68,980/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Animal Breeders vs. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Animal Breeders earn $68,980 vs. $31,200 for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Animal Breeders salary breakdownView →Full Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals salary breakdownView →Best cities for Animal Breeders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals by take-home payExplore →How to become a animal breedersGuide →How to become a farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animalsGuide →