Animal Scientist Salary
Animal Scientists earn a median $68,940 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What animal scientists do
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 200
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of animal scientists is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Animal Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,337
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,274
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,000
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$57,329
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,350 | $21.32 | $37,815 |
| 25th percentile | $49,770 | $23.93 | $42,170 |
| Median (50th) | $68,940 | $33.14 | $57,329 |
| 75th percentile | $103,300 | $49.66 | $81,502 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,000 | $79.81 | $124,727 |
Animal Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $132,830 | +58.1% | $102,055 | $44,490 – $211,650 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $88,640 | −35.8% | $66,684 | $63,520 – $202,910 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $84,310 | +5.7% | $65,054 | $57,400 – $153,570 | 280 |
| Washington | $83,160 | +5.7% | $67,333 | $63,730 – $112,450 | 40 |
| Kansas | $80,090 | — | $61,504 | $59,370 – $126,760 | — |
| Maryland | $77,750 | +5.7% | $60,198 | $59,950 – $147,580 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,660 | +0.7% | $61,080 | $59,010 – $167,260 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $77,300 | +37.1% | $63,211 | $50,660 – $101,990 | 90 |
| Iowa | $75,290 | −21.3% | $59,587 | $50,580 – $186,390 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $72,100 | — | $59,406 | $51,320 – $153,500 | 40 |
| Michigan | $60,010 | +17.0% | $48,098 | $47,080 – $87,330 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $55,300 | +7.9% | $44,977 | $48,150 – $118,980 | 210 |
| Illinois | $47,930 | −20.9% | $38,464 | $39,630 – $66,510 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal scientist make?
The national median salary for animal scientists is $68,940 a year ($33.14 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,350 and the top 10% earn over $166,000. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays animal scientists the most?
Texas has the highest median pay at $132,830.
How many animal scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 3,100 people work as animal scientists nationwide.