Farmworker
Plant, tend and harvest crops in fields, orchards, nurseries and greenhouses.
- $35,660
- Days to weeks
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Ranch Hand
Also called: Livestock Worker · Cowboy · Dairy Farm Worker · Farmhand
What ranch hands do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a ranch hand do?
Farmworkers for farm, ranch and aquacultural animals feed, water, herd and care for livestock, maintain facilities and help with breeding and health care. The median pay is $36,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Weeks to months, and employment is projected to grow -3.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$36,670$17.63/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-3.2%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year26,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainWeeks to monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs202,100Employment, 2025
What ranch hands do
Ranch hands keep livestock healthy. They feed and water cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry or horses, move animals between pastures, help with calving and vaccinations, milk dairy cows, repair fences and maintain barns and equipment. Some ride horses; others use ATVs and trucks.
No formal education is required, and training happens on the job. Animal handling skills, reliability and a strong work ethic matter most. Experienced hands can become herd managers or ranch managers.
Typical duties
- Feed and water livestock
- Move and herd animals
- Monitor animal health
- Assist with calving and vaccinations
- Milk dairy cows
- Repair fences and facilities
- Operate ranch equipment
Work environment and schedule
Ranch hands work outdoors in all weather, in pastures, barns and corrals, often in remote areas.
Schedule: Animals need daily care, so work includes early mornings, weekends and long hours during calving.
A day in the life
- Feed cattle and check water tanks.
- Check heifers for calving.
- Move cattle to a new pasture on horseback.
- Repair a broken fence.
See a full day in the life of a ranch hand →
Ranch Hand salary
Half of ranch hands earned more than $36,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,360 for the lowest 10% to $54,080 for the top 10%.
Full ranch hand pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a ranch hand
- Get animal experience
- Get hired on a ranch
- Learn handling
- Earn BQA
- Advance
No formal education is required. Ranch hands learn on the job.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a ranch hand →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Livestock handling
- Herding
- Animal health basics
- Fence repair
- Equipment operation
People skills
- Reliability
- Patience
- Stamina
- Independence
All ranch hand skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work with animals outdoors
- No degree needed
- Independent work
- Housing sometimes provided
Cons
- Physically demanding
- Weather and remote locations
- Long hours
- Livestock injury risk
Certifications and licenses
- Beef Quality Assurance (BQA): Livestock handling and care certification.
- Dairy Farmers of America training: Dairy animal care programs.
- Low-stress livestock handling courses: Handling techniques.
- CDL: For hauling livestock.
Career path
- Ranch Hand: Care for livestock.
- Experienced Hand: Handle more responsibility.
- Herd Manager: Manage herd health.
- Ranch Manager: Run the ranch.
Learn the job before day one
Our Ranch Hand training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as move cattle calmly and check a heifer for calving problems, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Farm Manager
Run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.
- $89,900
- 5+ years of farm experience
Animal Caretaker
Feed, groom, exercise and care for pets and animals.
- $35,360
- 1–4 weeks (longer for grooming)
Agricultural Equipment Operator
Drive tractors, combines and sprayers to plant and harvest crops.
- $41,730
- 1–6 months
Compare: Ranch Hand vs. Farmworker · Ranch Hand vs. Farm Manager · Ranch Hand vs. Animal Caretaker · Ranch Hand vs. Farm Equipment Operator
Ranch Hand FAQ
Do ranch hands need experience?
It helps, but many ranches train.
Is housing provided?
Sometimes, especially on remote ranches.
Is ranch work dangerous?
Livestock and equipment pose risks, managed with training.
How much does a ranch hand make?
The median annual wage for ranch hands was $36,670 ($17.63 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,360 and the highest 10% earned more than $54,080.
How long does it take to become a ranch hand?
Most people need about Weeks to months of training. No formal education is required. Ranch hands learn on the job.
Do you need a degree to be a ranch hand?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 45-2093 (Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.