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Professional Cowboy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ... Throughout your work, you'll ensure that all cattle are handled safely, professionally, and ...

Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits

Lead Host / Hostess

Sedona, AZ · On-site

$18 - $35/hr

Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits is a family-owned, high-volume restaurant with a 30+ year history on ... Standardize the onboarding of new host staff to uphold and reinforce professional excellence across ...

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Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits

Server

Sedona, AZ · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits is a family-owned, high-volume restaurant with a 30+ year history on ... professional and efficient manner. * Team mentality and an all-hands approach. * Ability to ...

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Cowboy Capital Saloon and Grill

Line Cook

Dodge City, KS

$12 - $15/hr

... your professional goals. * Competitive pay Line Cook Requirements and Responsibilities ... Established in December of 2019, The Cowboy Capital Saloon & Grill is a family-friendly fixture in ...

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Cowboy Cooling HVAC

Be Seen First

HVAC Service Technician

Dallas, TX · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Overview Cowboy Cooling has been proudly serving the DFW area for over 30 years, offering ... An entrepreneurial mindset, seeking to grow personally and professionally * A proven record of ...

Urgent

Training provided

Soy Cowboy

Restaurant Manager

Arlington, TX · On-site

Soy Cowboy is currently seeking Restaurant Managers with fine dining experience for our Arlington ... Excellent guest service and hospitality skills and professional presentation * Strong people ...

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Soy Cowboy

Restaurant Manager

Arlington, TX · On-site

Soy Cowboy is currently seeking Restaurant Managers with fine dining experience for our Arlington ... Excellent guest service and hospitality skills and professional presentation * Strong people ...

Soy Cowboy

Restaurant Manager

Arlington, TX

Soy Cowboy is currently seeking Restaurant Managers with fine dining experience for our Arlington ... Excellent guest service and hospitality skills and professional presentation * Strong people ...

Aetherflux

Recruiting Coordinator

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$109K - $161K/yr

About Cowboy Space Corporation Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure required to ... Help ensure a high-quality, responsive, and professional candidate experience * Coordinate onsite ...

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How much do professional cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional 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 are professional cowboys?

Professional cowboys are skilled individuals who work with cattle and horses, often on ranches or in rodeos. Their responsibilities include herding, branding, feeding, and caring for livestock, as well as maintaining ranch equipment and fences. In addition to ranch work, some cowboys compete in rodeos, showcasing their riding, roping, and cattle-handling abilities. The cowboy profession requires physical endurance, horsemanship, and knowledge of animal behavior. While the traditional image of a cowboy comes from the American West, similar roles exist in other countries under different names.

What is the difference between Professional Cowboy vs Ranch Hand?

AspectProfessional CowboyRanch Hand
CredentialsMay require riding experience, basic livestock handling skillsTypically no formal credentials, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentRanches, open fields, outdoor settingsSimilar outdoor, rural environments
Employer & IndustryRanching companies, cattle operationsRanching farms, livestock operations
Job FocusManaging cattle, riding, herding, brandingAssisting with daily ranch chores, feeding, fencing

The main difference between a Professional Cowboy and a Ranch Hand lies in experience and responsibilities. A Professional Cowboy often has more specialized riding skills and may take on leadership roles, while a Ranch Hand performs more general farm chores. Both roles are vital in ranching operations and share similar work environments.

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

To thrive as a Professional Cowboy, you need expertise in livestock handling, horse riding, and ranch management, often gained through hands-on experience rather than formal education. Familiarity with tools such as lassos, saddles, branding equipment, and sometimes ATV or ranch machinery operation is essential. Physical stamina, resilience, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills set outstanding cowboys apart. These abilities ensure safe and efficient livestock care, contribute to ranch productivity, and support the demanding nature of ranch work.

What are some common challenges faced by professional cowboys in modern ranch operations?

Professional cowboys today often encounter challenges such as adapting to new ranch technologies, managing larger herds with limited staff, and coping with unpredictable weather conditions. They must balance traditional horsemanship with the use of modern equipment and sometimes work long, physically demanding hours. Effective teamwork is essential, as cowboys regularly coordinate with ranch managers, veterinarians, and other staff to ensure the well-being of livestock and the smooth operation of the ranch.
What cities are hiring for Professional Cowboy jobs? Cities with the most Professional Cowboy job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cowboy jobs? The most popular types of Cowboy jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Cowboy jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Cowboy jobs include:
Professional Cowboy jobs near you
Pen Rider / Vaquero (Grand View, ID)

Pen Rider / Vaquero (Grand View, ID)

Simplot

Grand View, ID • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

J.R. Simplot rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

187th of 389 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.

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 administering appropriate treatments. Throughout your work, you’ll ensure that all cattle are handled safely, professionally, and humanely, contributing to the overall well-being of the livestock. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 

 
  • Monitor cattle health by safely riding feedlot pens on horseback to identify sick, injured, or stressed animals, and safely remove them for medical treatment.
  • Support cattle operations by assisting with receiving, unloading, sorting, and processing livestock as directed by the Feedlot and/or Cattle Manager/Supervisor.
  • Administer medical care to sick or injured cattle in accordance with treatment plans established by the Staff Veterinarian.
  • Move and rotate cattle between pens as instructed by the Cattle Manager/Supervisor and/or Lead Cowboy to align with production schedules.
  • Care for horses by training, shoeing, feeding, and providing medical treatment to maintain healthy, productive animals.
  • Perform additional tasks as assigned to support overall feedlot operations. 
Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (preferred but not required). 
  • Previous experience working with cattle in one or more of the cattle production segments, such as cow-calf, stocker, or cattle feeding 
  • Solid knowledge of animal health and cattle conditions, typically gained through a minimum of two years in a feedlot or ranch setting. 
  • Adequate horsemanship skills – in a feedlot setting 
    • Must provide own tack 
 
Language Skills
  • Ability to read and understand basic instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
  • Ability to write clear and simple correspondence.
  • Ability to effectively communicate information in one-on-one and small group settings with customers, clients, and fellow employees. 
Mathematical Skills
  • Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.
  • Ability to perform basic calculations involving U.S. currency, as well as units of weight, volume, and distance.
 
Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to apply common sense to follow detailed but straightforward written or verbal instructions.
  • Ability to solve problems involving a limited number of concrete variables in standardized situations. 
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. 

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to mount and unmount horse multiple times a day and sit in a saddle for long periods of time.
  • When freezing conditions occur, must be able to safely mount and dismount a horse to break ice as needed.
  • Must be able to frequently push, pull, and twist while working on horseback.
  • Frequently required to stand, walk, and use hands/fingers to handle, manipulate, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
  • Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required include distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. 
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. 

  • Work is performed primarily outdoors in feedlot pens with cattle present. Employees are regularly exposed to varying weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold.
  • The role involves regular exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and occasional work near moving mechanical parts or in wet and/or humid conditions.
  • Noise levels in the work environment range from moderate to loud.
  • Employees may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to work extended shifts of 10–11 hours per day.
  • Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment to achieve organizational goals.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Job Requisition ID: 26223

Travel Required: None

Location(s): L&L Feedlot - Grand View 

Country: United States


**The J.R. Simplot Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status. 

If the Simplot Company decides to offer you this position, such offer will be conditioned on your satisfactory completion of a post-offer criminal background check. For Washington Job Applicants, see the Washington State Attorney General’s Washington Fair Chance Act Guide and RCW 49.94.010 for more information.**

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About Simplot

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held organization, with roots firmly planted in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses. The J.R. Simplot Company is a true farm-to-table company with operations that touch every aspect of agriculture, including seed production, farming and ranching, plant sciences, fertilizer manufacturing, food processing, commercial product development, and distribution.

Industry

Agriculture

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boise, ID, US

Social media

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