Livestock handler careers in the United States are a rewarding profession for individuals who possess the patience to deal with animals. These positions necessitate responsibilities that are critical to the preservation of a variety of animals, including cattle, livestock, pigs, and poultry.
It is now quite common to observe numerous American farms and ranches seeking experienced livestock workers. In 2025, certain employers are prepared to assist these foreign workers in obtaining a visa to work in the United States. Information regarding all aspects is provided below.
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Key Points:
- Country: USA
- Job Title: Livestock handler
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes
- Job type: Part-time/Full-time
Requirements for Livestock Handler Jobs in USA:
In the United States, specific qualifications and abilities are typically necessary to become a livestock handler:
- Animal Experience: Employers also prioritize candidates who have experience with livestock.
- Physical stamina is a requirement for cattle handling, which is frequently physically demanding. Handlers must be situated in a manner that allows them to elevate substantial objects.
- Basic Animal Knowledge: Livestock handlers must possess the ability to feed, hydrate, and monitor the behavior and requirements of a variety of animal breeds.
- Communication Skills: It may require time to establish a direct relationship with farmers, veterinarians, or other animal care professionals.
- Visa Sponsorship Eligibility: Employers may sponsor foreign nationals through visa programs like the H-2A visa, which is utilized to provide agricultural labor.
Duties for Livestock Handler Jobs:
The specific activities that livestock caretakers perform are contingent upon the type of farm and animal they are responsible for, as outlined below. Nevertheless, the following are the fundamental responsibilities:
- Feeding and Watering Livestock: It is the responsibility of handlers to ensure that animals are properly nourished and hydrated. This may involve mechanically administering pornography or operating feeding equipment.
- Animal Health Monitoring: The farm proprietor or veterinarian must be informed of any suspected cases of illness or injury by the workers who are responsible for the animals.Handlers may occasionally convey animals from one location to another, such as from a shed to a grazing field. This is known as herding and moving livestock.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: It is imperative to ensure the sanitation of the animals’ enclosures in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Providing Support for Breeding and Birth: They may directly participate in activities such as animal breeding and may even provide assistance to new mothers in the event of births on certain agricultural practices.
Benefits of Livestock Handler Jobs:
- Consistent Job Demand: The agricultural and livestock sector consistently necessitates expert handlers, which guarantees job stability.
- Visa Sponsorship Opportunities: A multitude of farms and ranches provide visa sponsorship, which includes H-2A visas for foreign laborers.
- Fair wages, overtime pay, accommodation: and occasionally meal allowances are provided to employees. Competitive salary and benefits are also available.
- Hands-On Outdoor Work: This position is excellent for individuals who derive pleasure from working with animals in a rural, open-air setting.
- Developing Skills: Acquire proficiency in the areas of animal care, handling, nutrition, and veterinary assistance.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Sponsorship for long-term work visas or green cards may be possible through certain agricultural positions.
- Diverse Work Environments: Opportunities are available in equestrian centers, poultry farms, cattle ranches, and dairy farms.
- Health Benefits and Physical Activity: The occupation promotes physical activity among employees, thereby mitigating health issues associated with sedentary work.
- Community & Networking: Establish valuable industry connections by collaborating with experienced farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians.
- Career Advancement Opportunities: Opportunities to transition into supervisory positions, farm management, or animal science.
Handler Livestock Jobs
The tasks that livestock handlers perform are contingent upon the types of animals that the company handles, and their occupations are classified into multiple categories. The following are a few examples:
- Cattle Handler: This position involves the care and management of livestock or dairy cattle, including the feeding, herding, and milking of the animals as necessary.
- Sheep Handler: Sheep handlers are responsible for the health, feeding, and shearing of sheep colonies.
- Poultry Handler: Poultry processors are accountable for the feeding, examination, and transportation of chickens, turkeys, or other animals through the processing chain.
Salary Expectations:
The salaries of livestock handlers vary across regions, as they are contingent upon the type of livestock, location, and experience.
- Average Salary: In the United States, livestock handlers earn an average annual salary of 28,000 to 35,000 USD. Skilled caretakers are frequently compensated at a higher rate; however, this compensation is contingent upon the size of the ranches they manage or the specific type of livestock they are responsible for.
- Hourly Wage: Nevertheless, the average hourly rate for the introductory level of the occupation ranges from $12 to $16 per hour. This may increase over time, particularly during periods of high demand or optimal population density, such as harvest season or periods of birth.
How to Apply?
The following steps should be taken to apply for livestock handler positions in the United States with visa sponsorship:
- Search for Employment: Utilize employment listing websites, including Indeed, AgCareers and ZipRecruiter. This is particularly inaccurate if, as is frequently the case, you are looking for a particular form of job, such as “livestock handler jobs for H-2A visas.”
- Customize Your Resume: Ensure that your resume accurately reflects your experience in livestock management and any relevant training certifications in animal care or agricultural machinery operation.
- Apply Online: Utilize the company’s homepage or any of the posting sites to submit an application for the position. Please ensure that all required documents, such as your resume, references, and documentation verifying your eligibility to apply for the visa, are submitted.Visa Application: Upon your employment, your employer is accountable for assisting you in the processing of your H-2A visa application. This entails the completion of certain forms, an interview at a U.S. embassy, and the submission of documents such as a legitimate passport.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the job description of a cattle handler?
Load, unload, sort, move, and pen livestock. Maintain cleanliness of the facility by performing general upkeep and cleaning tasks. Interact courteously and professionally with producers, drivers, and team members. Operate equipment such as skid loaders as needed.
What does a livestock carrier do?
These vessels are used to transport animals and there are two main types: sheep carriers and cattle carriers. These vessels require special features such as fodder storage, good ventilation, an extensive water supply, systems for animal waste disposal, specialized ramps, and accommodation for those tending the animals.
What is the capacity of a livestock carrier?
The number of animal units that can graze for a specific time period is known as carrying capacity. In short, carrying capacity is the amount of forage available for grazing animals. The number of available animal unit months (AUMs), or the number of animal units grazed for one month, expresses carrying capacity.
