Animal Breeder Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Animal Breeders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$59,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $51,130
State Rank
#2 of 9
410 employed here

How much does an Animal Breeder make in California?

An Animal Breeder working in California earns a median salary of $59,280 per year, or about $28.50 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $51,130 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,400 while the top 10% make $94,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,120 and $73,320 a year.

Animal Breeder salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,400$22.79
25th percentile (early career)$55,120$26.50
50th percentile (median)$59,280$28.50
75th percentile (experienced)$73,320$35.25
90th percentile (top earners)$94,450$45.41

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 9 states and territories for Animal Breeder pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Ohio$68,980
2California$59,280
3Alabama$53,200
4Wisconsin$51,130
5Texas$48,410

Working as an Animal Breeder in California

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Animal Breeders in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($59,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Animal Breeder make in California?
The median Animal Breeder salary in California is $59,280 per year, or about $28.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,400 at the entry level to $94,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Animal Breeders about 16% more than the national median of $51,130. California ranks 2nd out of 9 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Animal Breeders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,280 a year. About 410 Animal Breeders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Animal Breeder salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.