Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

SOC code 45-2093 · O*NET-SOC 45-2093.00 · Little to some preparation needed

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$36,670

a year

Hourly

$17.63

per hour

10th$27,360Median$36,67090th$54,080

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$39,260

$18.88 per hour

Middle 50%

$31,020 – $45,700

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$27,360 – $54,080

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

32,810

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $27,360; $13.15/hr
25th percentile: $31,020; $14.91/hr
Median percentile: $36,670; $17.63/hr
75th percentile: $45,700; $21.97/hr
90th percentile: $54,080; $26.00/hr

What do 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.
Shift animals between grazing areas to ensure that they have sufficient access to food.
Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
Protect herds from predators, using trained dogs.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold some college courses — 39% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Some College Courses39%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25%
Less than a High School Diploma18%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%

Common questions

How much does a farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals earn?

The national median is $36,670 a year. The full range runs from $27,360 at the 10th percentile to $54,080 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.4/5
Monitoring3.3/5
Active Listening3.1/5
Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Speaking3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.2/5
Biology3.2/5
Administration and Management3.1/5
English Language3.1/5
Mechanical3.1/5
Food Production3.0/5
Mathematics3.0/5
Public Safety and Security3.0/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving.