Post job

Ranch hand vs groom

The differences between ranch hands and grooms can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a groom has an average salary of $30,872, which is higher than the $27,569 average annual salary of a ranch hand.

The top three skills for a ranch hand include harvest, farm work and farm machinery. The most important skills for a groom are PET, clipping, and animal handling.

Ranch hand vs groom overview

Ranch HandGroom
Yearly salary$27,569$30,872
Hourly rate$13.25$14.84
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs4,3099,302
Job satisfaction1-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a ranch hand do?

A ranch hand is a person who takes care of livestock animals in a ranch. Ranch hands perform the ranch husbandry job, which involves keeping them healthy, feeding them, and overseeing breeding. The primary duty they serve is to assist in the day-to-day operations in the ranch. They prepare livestock animals for slaughter or sale. They must have experience in cattle handling and/or animal husbandry. They should also be adaptable, enthusiastic, and know ranch equipment and maintenance.

What does a groom do?

A groom is primarily in charge of maintaining the hygiene and appearance of pets. Typically working at grooming shops, a groom liaises with pet owners to identify their preferences, observe the pet's condition to identify its needs, and explain the extent of procedures to pet owners. They may bathe and cut a pet's hair or nails, even brush its teeth and recommend care procedures to clients. Furthermore, as a groom, it is essential to be proactive and alert as some pets' behaviors are unpredictable.

Ranch hand vs groom salary

Ranch hands and grooms have different pay scales, as shown below.

Ranch HandGroom
Average salary$27,569$30,872
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $34,000Between $22,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityPetersburg, NDNatick, MA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaHawaii
Best paying companyWilliams InternationalDartmouth
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between ranch hand and groom education

There are a few differences between a ranch hand and a groom in terms of educational background:

Ranch HandGroom
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Ranch hand vs groom demographics

Here are the differences between ranch hands' and grooms' demographics:

Ranch HandGroom
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 78.3% Female, 21.7%Male, 19.3% Female, 80.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 26.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between ranch hand and groom duties and responsibilities

Ranch hand example responsibilities.

  • Manage habitat, predators, whitetail and several species of exotic animals.
  • Assist with lessons and summer camps which include helping riders groom, tack up and mount.
  • Relocate wheel line sprinklers used to irrigate crops.
  • Halter training fillies and colts, handling mares, studs and foals
  • Operate a backhoe to dig dirt and move large oil field equipment.
  • Clean livestock stalls and sheds using disinfectant solutions, brushes, and shovels.
  • Show more

Groom example responsibilities.

  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Provide excellent customer service and interact with pet parents.
  • Perform all grooming procedures including bath, brush, clips, and shave downs.
  • Toe nail clips, ear cleanings, and also extensive de sheds and mat removal.
  • Perform animal grooming such as washing, brushing, trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
  • Answer calls, make grooming appointments, wash and dry dogs, trim/ grind nails, brush coats appropriately
  • Show more

Ranch hand vs groom skills

Common ranch hand skills
  • Harvest, 15%
  • Farm Work, 12%
  • Farm Machinery, 9%
  • Physical Characteristics, 7%
  • Cattle Ranch, 6%
  • Farm Animals, 4%
Common groom skills
  • PET, 71%
  • Clipping, 11%
  • Animal Handling, 4%
  • Pet Care, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 3%

Browse farming, fishing, and forestry jobs