... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
... ranch or rangeland planning. * Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 ... signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
Cattle Ranch information
See New Mexico salary details
$9.78 - $11.03
3% of jobs
$11.03 - $12.28
9% of jobs
$12.28 - $13.53
7% of jobs
$14.06 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$13.53 - $14.78
14% of jobs
$14.78 - $16.03
9% of jobs
The median wage is $16.75 / hr.
$16.03 - $17.28
15% of jobs
$17.28 - $18.53
15% of jobs
$18.89 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$18.53 - $19.78
13% of jobs
$19.78 - $21.03
5% of jobs
$21.03 - $22.28
6% of jobs
$22.28 - $23.53
4% of jobs
$9
$16
$23
How much do cattle ranch jobs pay per hour?
What is a cattle rancher?
A cattle ranch job involves raising and managing cattle for beef or dairy production. Responsibilities may include feeding, herding, branding, maintaining ranch equipment, and ensuring the health of the herd. Workers may also assist in breeding efforts, monitor pasture conditions, and help with irrigation or fencing. Ranch jobs require physical labor and knowledge of livestock care. Some roles may also involve operating machinery or handling sales and transportation of cattle.
What skills and qualifications are needed to be a cattle rancher?
To thrive as a Cattle Rancher, you need knowledge of animal husbandry, pasture management, and general agricultural practices, often gained through hands-on experience or agricultural studies. Proficiency in using ranch equipment, livestock tracking systems, and sometimes certifications in animal handling or pesticide application are common requirements. Strong problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to work independently or as part of a small team are important soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure healthy livestock, efficient operations, and effective management of daily ranch activities in often challenging environments.
What are the typical working conditions and work schedule for a cattle rancher?
Cattle Ranchers usually work outdoors in all types of weather, handling livestock, maintaining pastures, and operating equipment throughout the year. The job often requires early mornings, late evenings, and some weekend or holiday shifts, especially during calving season or periods of increased activity. While some responsibilities are solitary, ranchers also coordinate with veterinarians, suppliers, and sometimes supervise ranch hands. The role is physically demanding but offers a strong sense of accomplishment for those who enjoy working with animals and in natural settings.

$61K/yr
Full-time
Posted 5 days ago
Job description
?For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Megan Eno at megan.eno@usda.gov.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Basic Requirement:
GS-0454 Series
- Degree: range management; or a related discipline that included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of the plant, animal, and soil sciences, and natural resources management, as follows:
- Range Management -- At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements, and ranch or rangeland planning.
- Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these three scientific areas, i.e., plant, animal, and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable.
- Related Resource Management Studies -- At least 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects, including courses in such areas as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, and outdoor recreation management.
- Combination of education and experience: at least 42 semester hours of course work in the combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resources management shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level;
OR
A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related;
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following:
- Assisted senior specialists in performing scientific and technical analysis and/or providing technical advice concerning rangeland management topics and/or issues; and/or
- Assisted in performing recurring, well-defined, and moderately difficult range improvement projects such as preparing allotment management plans, locating, designing, and placing fences, signs, cattle guards, determining stocking and rotation plans and similar projects; and/or
- Assisted in preparing segments of conventional range use plans under multiple-use sustained yield concepts or developing simple activity plans.
For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level;
OR
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled);
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following:
- Analyzed environmental data and advised on conventional rangeland management monitoring, issues, and projects;
- Exercised independent judgment to perform recurring, well-defined, and moderately difficult range improvement projects such as preparing segments of land use plans under multiple-use sustained yield concepts, designed, monitored, and implemented plant community changes,
- Developed and implemented prescribed burns, or other initiatives of comparable scope and complexity; and/or
- Prepared segments of conventional rangeland use plans under multiple-use sustained yield concepts or assisted in the development of activity plans that included range and watershed improvement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.Employment Type: OTHER
About USDA Forest Service
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Industry
Public administration
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Washington, DC, US
Year founded
1905