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Livestock Worker Jobs in the USA

Livestock Worker roles in the United States focus on daily animal care: feeding routines, barn/pen sanitation, safe handling, and basic health observation. Many opportunities for international candidates are seasonal or temporary and may follow an H-2A route depending on the employer. CV is required for review.

Last updated: January 1, 2026
Role snapshot Pay & hours (gross) Duties Requirements Candidate profile Work conditions (USA) FAQ
CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.
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Sector: Agriculture (H-2A focus) Role family: Farm/Ranch Animal Care Typical route: H-2A (employer-dependent) Work type: Temporary
Typical gross pay (recent job-order examples): $11.81–$18.75 per hour (gross).
Actual pay depends on state, operation type (cattle/dairy/hog/poultry), experience, and the employer’s job order wage rules. All figures on this page are gross (brutto).

Role snapshot

Designed to match search intent: “livestock worker jobs USA”, “H-2A livestock worker”, “livestock worker pay”.
Animal care Sanitation Safe handling Early shifts
  • Main goal: maintain animal welfare through consistent daily routines.
  • Common settings: cattle ranches, dairy units, hog farms, poultry operations (site-dependent).
  • Core rhythm: feed/water → check animals → clean pens/barns → assist with movement/handling → record/report issues.

Pay & hours (gross / brutto)

Typical hourly pay (gross) $11.81–$18.75/hour (range derived from recent job-order examples; varies by state/employer)
National wage reference (gross) Livestock-worker average reported around $17.36/hour (USDA Farm Labor report reference) and a BLS median near $16.88/hour for comparable farm/ranch animal roles.
Hours per week (typical) Common patterns include 40–55 hours/week depending on operation and season (weather, calving/farrowing, peak periods).
Overtime Farm schedules vary; overtime depends on employer policy and applicable rules. Confirm overtime terms in the employer’s offer/job order.
Pay format Hourly gross pay is most common; pay frequency depends on employer payroll schedule.
All amounts shown on this page are gross (brutto) and do not reflect taxes, withholdings, or voluntary deductions.

Typical tasks (realistic)

  • Feed and water animals on a fixed schedule; monitor consumption and availability.
  • Clean and maintain pens/barns: bedding, manure removal, sanitation routines and biosecurity steps.
  • Move, sort, and load animals safely (gates, chutes, pens); follow low-stress handling practices.
  • Observe animals for signs of illness or injury and report issues immediately to supervisors.
  • Assist with routine husbandry tasks (site-dependent): ear tags, basic records, support during births, and facility checks.

What changes by operation type

“Livestock Worker” is a broad category. Employers use the same job title for different animal systems. The modules below help candidates understand what “livestock work” can mean on day one.

Cattle ranch / feedlot focus

Feeding, watering, pen maintenance, fence checks, moving cattle through chutes and pens, and supporting vaccinations or treatments under supervision.

Dairy unit focus

Milking-support routines (site dependent), calf care, cleaning and sanitation around holding areas, bedding management, and observation for health issues.

Hog / pork operation focus

Pen sanitation, feed and water systems checks, moving animals between pens, basic observation and reporting, and strict biosecurity routines.

Job reality (a short “shift story”):

A strong livestock shift looks quiet from the outside: feed is delivered on time, water lines are checked, pens stay clean enough to prevent problems, and small health issues are noticed early—before they become urgent.

Requirements (detailed)

Employers prioritize reliability, safe handling, and disciplined routines. The list below reflects common screening criteria for livestock worker hiring (especially seasonal/temporary roles).

Mandatory for review

  • CV in English (required for review).
  • Ability to follow safety instructions and site rules (biosecurity and sanitation matter).
  • Availability for early shifts and schedule changes (role-dependent).

Commonly requested

  • Animal-care experience is a strong advantage (feeding routines, pen sanitation, handling awareness).
  • Physical readiness: long hours on foot, repetitive work, lifting, and working in odor/heat/cold conditions.
  • Basic English for safety communication (equipment, animals, and emergency instructions).

Sometimes required (site-dependent)

  • Driver’s license or ability to obtain one (if driving on or between worksites is required).
  • Comfort with mechanized tools/equipment used on farms (only if specified by employer).
  • References that confirm reliability and performance.
Note: additional requirements may apply by state, employer policy, and the specific job order.

Short candidate profile (who fits this job)

The strongest candidates are not “fast at everything.” They are consistent, careful, and reliable—because animals depend on stable routines.

  • You keep routines stable: feed, water, checks, cleaning—done on schedule.
  • You notice small issues early (injury, unusual behavior, broken gate, empty water line) and report immediately.
  • You stay calm around animals and follow safe handling steps instead of improvising.
  • You can work outdoors in changing weather and still maintain quality and cleanliness.
  • You are dependable with attendance and can handle early starts and seasonal peaks.
CV tip that improves shortlist rate:
Add a short “animal systems” line (cattle/dairy/hog/poultry), list routine tasks you have done (feeding schedules, pen sanitation, moving animals), and include safety/biosecurity habits.

Next steps

  1. Create/upload your CV and keep contact details up to date.
  2. After CV review, we confirm role fit and available projects.
  3. If shortlisted, you proceed to employer interview and documentation steps.
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Work conditions in the USA (current, practical)

Livestock operations run on daily schedules. Terms vary by employer and state, but candidates should expect structured routines, early starts, and strict safety/biosecurity requirements. This section is informational and not legal advice.

  • Schedule reality: early mornings are common; workload can spike during calving/farrowing, weather events, or peak production periods.
  • Environment: outdoor and barn work with dust, odors, humidity/heat/cold; PPE and sanitation steps may be mandatory.
  • Housing (often under H-2A): many temporary agricultural roles include employer-arranged housing; the employer sets site rules for safety and living standards.
  • Transportation: many temporary programs require employers to address transportation to/from worksites and certain travel reimbursements depending on contract progress (employer/job-order terms).
  • Hours guarantee concept: some temporary agricultural contracts include a minimum-hours guarantee principle (employer obligations depend on the certified job order).
  • Wages: pay must meet the wage stated in the job order and comply with applicable wage rules for the program and state.

Related roles in Agriculture (H-2A focus)

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.

FAQ (Livestock Worker jobs in the USA)

These questions are selected to match real search behavior (pay, duties, requirements, seasonal routes) and are generated deterministically for uniqueness per page.

What is typical gross hourly pay for a livestock worker in the USA?

Recent job-order examples show roughly $11.81–$18.75/hour gross, depending on state and employer. Exact pay is confirmed by the employer’s job order and contract.

Do I need experience with animals to apply?

Experience is strongly preferred, but some employers accept entry-level candidates who show reliability, safe handling habits, and willingness to follow routines and biosecurity rules.

What are the most common daily tasks?

Feeding and watering, cleaning pens/barns, safe movement/handling of animals, basic observation for health issues, and reporting problems early.