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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Median Salary
35,120
Job Outlook
-2%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of agricultural workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2023 to 2033. About 116,400 openings for agricultural workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$29,250

10%

$35,120

Median

$47,110

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Some college

    39%

  • High school

    24%

  • Less than high school

    18%

  • Associate's degree

    8%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    8%

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Mechanical
  • Production and Processing
  • Administration and Management
  • Food Production
  • English Language

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.