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Cattle Driving Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Dalhart, TX · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Lamar, CO · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Lamar, CO · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Dalhart, TX · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Dalhart, TX · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Head Pen Rider

Yuma, CO · On-site

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 ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Head Pen Rider

Yuma, CO · On-site

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 ...

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Cattle Driving information

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$24

How much do cattle driving jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for cattle driving in the United States is $17.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cattle Driving vs Cattle Ranch Hand?

AspectCattle DrivingCattle Ranch Hand
Primary RoleTransporting cattle over long distancesManaging cattle on the ranch, including feeding and herding
Work EnvironmentOpen ranges, roads, and trailsRanch facilities, pastures, and corrals
Required SkillsHerding, navigation, basic animal handlingAnimal care, fencing, feeding, herding
CertificationsNone typically requiredNone typically required

While both roles involve working with cattle, Cattle Driving focuses on moving cattle between locations, often over long distances, requiring navigation and herding skills. Cattle Ranch Hands handle daily ranch operations, including feeding, caring for cattle, and maintaining the ranch environment. Both roles are essential in the cattle industry but differ in scope and daily tasks.

What are some typical challenges faced during cattle driving, and how can they be managed on the job?

Cattle driving often involves long hours outdoors, unpredictable weather, and the need to manage large herds over varied terrain. Common challenges include preventing herd scattering, dealing with stressed or injured animals, and navigating difficult landscapes. Success in this role requires strong communication with team members, quick problem-solving skills, and a calm approach to animal handling. Most cattle drives are conducted as part of a coordinated team, so being able to collaborate well and share responsibilities is crucial for keeping both cattle and crew safe and productive.

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

To thrive as a Cattle Driver, you need solid livestock handling skills, physical stamina, and practical knowledge of animal behavior, often gained through hands-on experience or agricultural training. Familiarity with horseback riding, use of herding tools, and sometimes GPS or radio communication equipment is important for managing cattle over long distances. Strong problem-solving abilities, patience, and teamwork are essential soft skills for handling unpredictable situations and collaborating with other ranch hands. These skills ensure cattle are moved safely and efficiently, protecting both livestock welfare and operational productivity.

What is cattle driving?

Cattle driving is the process of moving a herd of cattle from one location to another, typically over long distances. Traditionally, this was done by cowboys on horseback and was essential for moving cattle from ranches to markets or railheads before modern transportation. Today, while much less common, cattle drives still occur for ranch management, grazing, or as part of historical reenactments. It requires skills in animal handling, navigation, and sometimes teamwork with other drivers and horses.
More about Cattle Driving jobs
What cities are hiring for Cattle Driving jobs? Cities with the most Cattle Driving job openings:
What states have the most Cattle Driving jobs? States with the most job openings for Cattle Driving jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cattle Driving jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cattle Driving jobs are:
Cattle Driving jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cattle Driving job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,173 per year, or $17.4 per hour.
Pen Rider

Pen Rider

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Dalhart, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 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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