Animal Workers
Overview
Farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal workers care for animals raised for food, fiber, or recreation, such as cattle, pigs, fish, and shellfish. They feed and water animals, clean enclosures, assist with breeding and medical care, and maintain equipment like feeding systems or tanks. On aquaculture farms, they monitor water quality and help harvest fish or seafood. These workers play a key role in ensuring animal health and product quality, often working outdoors in all kinds of weather. The role requires physical stamina, responsibility, and basic knowledge of animal care and safety practices.
Did you know?
This occupation requires significant physical stamina and the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and precipitation.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$37,201.22 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Service Orientation
Key Responsibilities
- Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.
- Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
- Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
- Perform duties related to livestock reproduction, such as breeding animals within appropriate timeframes, performing artificial inseminations, and helping with animal births.
- Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
- Spray livestock with disinfectants and insecticides, or dip or bathe animals.
- Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
- Shift animals between grazing areas to ensure that they have sufficient access to food.
- Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
- Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
- Protect herds from predators, using trained dogs.
- Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
- Order food for animals, and arrange for its delivery.
- Groom, clip, trim, or castrate animals, dock ears and tails, or shear coats to collect hair.
- Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
- Maintain growth, feeding, production, and cost records.
- Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
- Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition.
- Patrol grazing lands on horseback or using all-terrain vehicles.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Outdoor Working Conditions
This occupation requires significant physical stamina and the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and precipitation.
Seasonal Employment Patterns
Many positions in this field are seasonal or temporary, which can lead to periods of unemployment and income instability throughout the year.
Safety Training and Animal Handling Requirements
Workers must be trained in proper safety protocols for handling animals and operating farm equipment to prevent injuries and ensure animal welfare.