How much does a animal scientist make?
The median animal scientist in the United States earns $68,940 per year, about $33.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all animal scientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1011.
Animal scientist salary range
Pay for animal scientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $166,000. The average (mean) wage of $88,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,350 | $21.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,770 | $23.93 | |
| Median (50th) | $68,940 | $33.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $103,300 | $49.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $166,000 | $79.81 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for animal scientists (SOC 19-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Animal scientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Animal scientists earn the most in Texas at $132,830 a year, and the least in Illinois at $47,930. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $132,830 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $88,640 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $84,310 | 280 |
| Washington | $83,160 | 40 |
| Kansas | $80,090 | N/A |
| Maryland | $77,750 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,660 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $77,300 | 90 |
| Iowa | $75,290 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $72,100 | 40 |
| Michigan | $60,010 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $55,300 | 210 |
| Illinois | $47,930 | N/A |
State median wages for animal scientists (SOC 19-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for animal scientists
The BLS projects employment of animal scientists to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for animal scientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an animal scientist
The typical entry-level education for animal scientists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an animal scientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Texas, $132,830) and the lowest (Illinois, $47,930) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,100 people work as animal scientists in the United States. At $68,940 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Animal scientist salary FAQ
How much does an animal scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an animal scientist is $33.14. The middle half of animal scientists earn between $23.93 and $49.67 per hour.
What is the highest animal scientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of animal scientists earn more than $166,000 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an animal scientist make a year?
The median annual salary for an animal scientist is $68,940. The average (mean) wage of $88,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an animal scientist a well paid job?
At $68,940 a year, an animal scientist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,100 people work as animal scientists in the United States.
Which state pays animal scientists the most?
Texas has the highest median salary for animal scientists at $132,830 a year. Minnesota ($88,640) and Wisconsin ($84,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an animal scientist a good career?
Employment of animal scientists is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an animal scientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for animal scientists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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