NCLCA Principles of Livestock Selection and Evaluation Certification

Median Annual Income

$83,770

Projected Job Growth

-2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Median Annual Income

$43,180

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

Median Annual Income

$43,740

Projected Job Growth

+19 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Median Annual Income

$36,440

Projected Job Growth

+19 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

Median Annual Income

$43,170

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

Median Annual Income

$38,810

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

Median Annual Income

$31,200

Projected Job Growth

+17 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Median Annual Income

$57,320

Projected Job Growth

+3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Median Annual Income

$34,470

Projected Job Growth

-2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.

Median Annual Income

$35,120

Projected Job Growth

-5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

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.