How much does an Animal Breeder make?
The median pay for an Animal Breeder in the United States is $51,130 per year — about $24.58 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $38,480, while the most experienced Animal Breeders in the top 10% earn $90,550.
That is $10,260 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Animal Breeder salary range by percentile
Half of all Animal Breeders earn between $44,320 and $62,080 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,320 | $21.31 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,130 | $24.58 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,080 | $29.85 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,550 | $43.53 |
Highest-paying states for Animal Breeder
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Ohio leads the country for Animal Breeder pay at $68,980 a year, followed by California ($59,280) and Alabama ($53,200). At the other end, Nebraska posts the lowest median at $40,220 — a gap of $28,760 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | $68,980 | $33.16 | +35% |
| 2 | California | $59,280 | $28.50 | +16% |
| 3 | Alabama | $53,200 | $25.58 | +4% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $51,130 | $24.58 | +0% |
| 5 | Texas | $48,410 | $23.27 | -5% |
Animal Breeder salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 9 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 1,000 people work as Animal Breeders in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $57,010 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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