Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
SOC Code: 45-2093 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $33,904 | $42,619 | $51,314 | $60,029 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $40,747 | $46,634 | $52,541 | $58,427 |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $37,357 | $44,346 | $51,334 | $58,323 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $41,558 | $46,696 | $51,854 | $56,992 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $41,829 | $46,862 | $51,875 | $56,909 |
| Anchorage, AK | $42,994 | $47,611 | $52,208 | $56,826 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $38,522 | $44,491 | $50,461 | $56,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $41,350 | $46,322 | $51,272 | $56,243 |
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $36,338 | $42,931 | $49,525 | $56,118 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $39,541 | $45,032 | $50,502 | $55,994 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.2 |
| Biology | 3.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.1 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Mechanical | 3.1 |
| Food Production | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.0 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 39.4% |
| High school diploma | 25.0% |
| Less than high school | 18.0% |
| Associate's degree | 8.9% |
| Some college | 8.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
- Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
- 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.
- Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
- Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
- Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
- Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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