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Cattle Cowboy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Dalhart, TX · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

J.R. Simplot Company

Pen Rider / Vaquero

Burbank, WA · On-site

Summary As a Feedlot Cowboy, you'll play a vital role in caring for our feedlot cattle. Your responsibilities include monitoring livestock health, identifying animals in need of attention, and ...

Innovative Livestock Services

Cowboy

Great Bend, KS · On-site

Drives cattle from one area of the yard to another humanely by practicing low stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle. * On horseback, ride through pens and/or pastures, inspect ...

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Eckley, CO · On-site

Review daily agenda for cattle movements. * If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens. * On horseback, safely ride ...

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Sublette, KS · On-site

Review daily agenda for cattle movements. * If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens. * On horseback, safely ride ...

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Leoti, KS · On-site

Review daily agenda for cattle movements. * If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens. * On horseback, safely ride ...

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Yuma, CO · On-site

Review daily agenda for cattle movements. * If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens. * On horseback, safely ride ...

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Wray, CO · On-site

Review daily agenda for cattle movements. * If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens. * On horseback, safely ride ...

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Cattle Cowboy information

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How much do cattle cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for cattle cowboy in the United States is $20.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cattle cowboy?

Cattle cowboys are skilled workers who manage and care for cattle, typically on ranches or large farms. Their duties include herding, feeding, branding, and monitoring the health of the animals, as well as maintaining fences and equipment. Cowboys often work long hours outdoors and use horses or ATVs to move herds across pastures. The role is essential to livestock operations and is a vital part of the ranching industry in many regions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cattle cowboy, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cattle Cowboy, you need a solid understanding of livestock handling, animal husbandry, and basic veterinary care, often gained through hands-on experience or agricultural training. Familiarity with ranch equipment, horses, ATVs, and sometimes GPS systems is also important for daily operations. Strong work ethic, resilience, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing livestock and collaborating with team members. These skills are essential for ensuring cattle health, operational efficiency, and safety in often challenging outdoor environments.

What are the typical challenges faced by a cattle cowboy during seasonal changes, and how can they prepare for them?

Cattle Cowboys often encounter unique challenges during seasonal changes, such as managing herd health during extreme weather, ensuring cattle have access to adequate food and water, and adapting to shifting grazing patterns. In the winter, harsh conditions may require extra feeding and shelter, while in the summer, heat stress and water scarcity can be concerns. To prepare, Cowboys monitor weather forecasts, maintain equipment, and coordinate closely with ranch managers and veterinarians to develop contingency plans. Staying adaptable and proactive is key to successfully navigating these seasonal hurdles.

What is the difference between Cattle Cowboy vs Ranch Hand?

AspectCattle CowboyRanch Hand
CredentialsNone required, experience preferredNone required, experience preferred
Work EnvironmentOpen range, ranches, farmsOpen range, ranches, farms
Industry UsagePrimarily in cattle herding and ranchingGeneral farm and ranch work, including cattle

Both Cattle Cowboys and Ranch Hands work in ranch environments, often performing similar tasks like herding cattle and maintaining ranch operations. However, Cattle Cowboys typically focus specifically on cattle herding and riding skills, while Ranch Hands may handle a broader range of farm chores. The roles often overlap, but Cattle Cowboys are more specialized in cattle management.

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Cities with the most Cattle Cowboy job openings:

What states have the most Cattle Cowboy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Cattle Cowboy jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Cattle Cowboy jobs?

For Cattle Cowboy jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Cattle Cowboy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cattle Cowboy job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,416 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Pen Rider

Dalhart, TX • On-site

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC
Food and Drink Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLCexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE: Pen Rider

REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable)

FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt

FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Utilizes a horse to ride through assigned pens daily and identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress; segregates sick cattle for treatment by driving them to nearest hospital pen; calls deads in for removal.

  • Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing; counting cattle and separating strays; checking withdrawals.

  • Moves/drives cattle from one area of the yard to another by utilizing humane low-stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle.

  • Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals.

  • Returns stray animals to home pens.

  • Rides horse safely by awareness of surroundings and exercise of caution in dangerous situations.

  • Maintains appearance of break room by properly disposing of trash, wiping feet upon entering, and sweeping/mopping according to the posted schedule.

  • Maintains cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floors and cleaning stalls.

  • Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employee for repair (broken water tanks, bunks, holes, etc.).

  • Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens through observance of unusual trends (including concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received, etc).

  • Complies with all applicable safety rules and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner.

  • Ability to furnish gentle horse and tack.

  • Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to apply these functions using units and weights.

  • Knowledge of cattle breeds and characteristics.

  • Flexibility to work varied hours should shipping necessitate it.

COMPETENCY:

Expected to work efficiently with minimal supervision, adapt to changes in the work environment, have the ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events, exhibit sound, and accurate judgment prioritize and plan work activities, set goals and objectives, observe safety and security procedures, and report potentially unsafe conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to ride a horse daily and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds from a standing, stooping, or sitting position. Employees will be in confinement areas with cattle and horses and must be able to safely and swiftly climb or exit the area. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Walking, climbing, bending, stooping, reaching upward and downward, pinching, gripping, hearing, sitting, pushing/pulling, twisting.

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