Animal Scientists
SOC code 19-1011 · O*NET-SOC 19-1011.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Animal Scientists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$68,940
a year
Hourly
$33.14
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$88,350
$42.48 per hour
Middle 50%
$49,770 – $103,300
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,350 – $166,000
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $44,350
- $21.32/hr
- 25th percentile
- $49,770
- $23.93/hr
- Median percentile
- $68,940
- $33.14/hr
- 75th percentile
- $103,300
- $49.67/hr
- 90th percentile
- $166,000
- $79.81/hr
What does an animal scientist do?
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
- Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
- Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
- Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
- Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
- Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
- Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
- Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
How to become an animal scientist
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 43% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree43%
- Master's Degree22%
- Bachelor's Degree13%
- Post-Doctoral Training13%
Common questions
How much does an animal scientist earn?
The national median is $68,940 a year. The full range runs from $44,350 at the 10th percentile to $166,000 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an animal scientist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Science4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.6/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Chemistry4.0/5
- Food Production3.8/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.