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Herder salary
Average herder salary
$14.5
Average Herder Salary
The average salary for a herder stands at $30,152 per year, translating to about $15 per hour. Salary levels can fluctuate depending on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which you work. For instance, herders in states like California and Texas often earn significantly more than their counterparts in other regions.
Where Can a Herder Earn More?
Income potential varies widely across states. Herders working in high-demand agricultural areas may find better compensation opportunities. Additionally, those with experience in specialized farming techniques or in roles that require advanced livestock management skills often command higher wages. The top-paying industries for herders include agricultural services and livestock production, which can offer competitive salaries and benefits.
Job Opportunities
As a herder, you can explore various job opportunities across farms, ranches, and agricultural organizations. Understanding the salary landscape specific to your desired location can help you negotiate better pay. Utilize resources like Zippia to find job postings, salary insights, and career development resources tailored for herders.
Let Zippia find your next herder job
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Where can a Herder earn more?
Herder salary estimates from across the web
Average herder salary by state
The highest-paying states for herders are Vermont, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average herder salary states are Oregon, Indiana, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for herders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $34,026 | $16.36 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $36,489 | $17.54 |
| 3 | New York | $38,464 | $18.49 |
| 4 | Maine | $35,601 | $17.12 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $29,263 | $14.07 |
| 6 | Vermont | $40,029 | $19.24 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $28,669 | $13.78 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $30,672 | $14.75 |
| 9 | Delaware | $28,304 | $13.61 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $33,143 | $15.93 |
| 11 | Iowa | $26,372 | $12.68 |
| 12 | Arizona | $27,752 | $13.34 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $31,358 | $15.08 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $25,851 | $12.43 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $31,492 | $15.14 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $27,234 | $13.09 |
| 17 | Kansas | $27,402 | $13.17 |
| 18 | Illinois | $25,586 | $12.30 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $25,056 | $12.05 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $25,545 | $12.28 |
| 21 | Maryland | $27,733 | $13.33 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $23,736 | $11.41 |
| 23 | Texas | $23,854 | $11.47 |
| 24 | Alabama | $22,725 | $10.93 |
| 25 | Ohio | $25,165 | $12.10 |
| 26 | Georgia | $25,399 | $12.21 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $23,181 | $11.14 |
| 28 | Virginia | $25,742 | $12.38 |
| 29 | California | $25,542 | $12.28 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $23,505 | $11.30 |
| 31 | Michigan | $24,318 | $11.69 |
| 32 | Florida | $24,606 | $11.83 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $23,734 | $11.41 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $23,479 | $11.29 |
| 35 | Idaho | $22,259 | $10.70 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $27,891 | $13.41 |
| 37 | Nevada | $24,092 | $11.58 |
| 38 | Washington | $24,352 | $11.71 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $26,758 | $12.86 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $23,220 | $11.16 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $23,565 | $11.33 |
| 42 | Missouri | $23,431 | $11.26 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $21,148 | $10.17 |
| 44 | Montana | $21,328 | $10.25 |
| 45 | Indiana | $22,089 | $10.62 |
| 46 | Colorado | $22,844 | $10.98 |
| 47 | Oregon | $22,139 | $10.64 |
| 48 | Utah | $22,259 | $10.70 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $22,159 | $10.65 |
| 50 | Alaska | $21,095 | $10.14 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $20,760 | $9.98 |
Highest paying cities for herders
The highest-paying cities for herders are Casa Grande, AZ, Perris, CA, and Cedar City, UT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casa Grande, AZ | $27,831 | $13.38 |
| 2 | Perris, CA | $25,600 | $12.31 |
| 3 | Cedar City, UT | $22,339 | $10.74 |
Herder salary details
A herder's salary ranges from $14,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $60,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a herder's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $30,152 | $2,513 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $14,000 | $1,167 | $7 |
Highest paying herder jobs
The highest paying types of herders are rider, wrangler, and livestock yard attendant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groom | $30,872 | $2,573 | $14.84 | 9,302 |
| Farm Worker | $26,598 | $2,217 | $12.79 | 25,368 |
| Farm Labour | $26,720 | $2,227 | $12.85 | 25,319 |
| Ranch Hand | $27,569 | $2,297 | $13.25 | 4,309 |
| Farm Hand | $26,594 | $2,216 | $12.79 | 9,890 |
| Wrangler | $34,274 | $2,856 | $16.48 | 176 |
Top companies hiring herders now:
Which companies pay herders the most?
Herder salaries at Southern Nevada Water Authority and Epperson & Company are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average herder salary at companies like Triple-I and Bay Area Rapid Transit are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Nevada Water Authority | $54,634 | $26.27 |
| 2 | Epperson & Company | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| 3 | Triple-I | $35,154 | $16.90 |
| 4 | Bay Area Rapid Transit | $34,443 | $16.56 |
| 5 | Jefferson | $33,139 | $15.93 |
| 6 | Mountain Meadows LLC | $30,138 | $14.49 |
| 7 | David's Inc | $29,842 | $14.35 |
| 8 | High Country Financial | $27,761 | $13.35 |
| 9 | The Jones Co. | $27,339 | $13.14 |
| 10 | Cunningham | $26,337 | $12.66 |
| 11 | Darnall | $26,298 | $12.64 |
| 12 | Roche Holding AG | $25,959 | $12.48 |
| 13 | Flat Top Grill | $25,686 | $12.35 |
| 14 | Reno, NV | $25,652 | $12.33 |
| 15 | Berdon | $25,509 | $12.26 |
| 16 | King Ranch | $25,369 | $12.20 |
| 17 | Spring Valley Middle School | $25,348 | $12.19 |
| 18 | Sorenson | $25,138 | $12.09 |
| 19 | Larson Farm & Lawn | $25,050 | $12.04 |
| 20 | Bar-s Foods | $25,050 | $12.04 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Herder salary by industry
The average herder salary varies across industries:
- The average herder salary in the health care industry is $25,648, the highest of any industry.
- The average herder salary in the finance industry is $25,520.
- Herders in the agriculture industry earn an average salary of $25,032, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for herders
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Care | $25,648 | $12.33 |
| 2 | Pharmaceutical | $25,520 | $12.27 |
| 3 | Construction | $25,317 | $12.17 |
| 4 | Education | $25,192 | $12.11 |
| 5 | Agriculture | $25,032 | $12.03 |
High paying herder jobs
Herder salary trends
The average herder salary has risen by $7,276 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average herder earned $22,876 annually, but today, they earn $30,152 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for herders over the last decade.
Compare herder salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average herder salary over time
Compare herder salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Herder salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $30,200 | $14.50 | +4.5% |
| 2025 | $28,800 | $13.85 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $27,500 | $13.22 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $26,400 | $12.67 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $25,400 | $12.20 | +3.1% |
Recently added herder salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carruthers Livestock, LLC | Range Livestock Herder | Sanderson, TX | 03/06/2025 | $24,700 |
| Ha Farms, Inc. | Open Range Livestock Herder | Parowan, UT | 03/04/2025 | $24,700 |
| Nm Ranch | Open Range Sheep Herder | Auburn, CA | 03/04/2025 | $57,845 |
| Leland Frank Hazeltine | Open Range Sheep Herder | West Sacramento, CA | 03/04/2025 | $57,845 |
| Eureka Livestock LLC | Cattle Herder | Bakersfield, CA | 02/26/2025 | $41,677 |
| Reap & Sow LLC | Herding and Range Livestock | Wauchula, FL | 02/21/2025 | $33,872 |
| Double S LLC | Range Livestock Herder | Deming, NM | 02/20/2025 | $24,700 |
| Tucker Draw Ranch LLC | Range Livestock Herder | Ozona, TX | 02/19/2025 | $24,700 |
| Visitbaker | Cattle Herder | Ione, OR | 02/19/2025 | $41,364 |
| Hubbard Cattle Company LLC | Range Livestock Herder | Biddle, MT | 02/11/2025 | $24,700 |
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