Animal Scientists
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
What it pays
Animal Scientists earn a median of $33.14/hr — about $69,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $21.32/hr; the top 10% earn $79.81/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Animal Scientists earn a median of $33.14/hr — about $69,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $21.32/hr; the top 10% earn $79.81/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- 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.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 2.3% of animal scientists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.
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Quick questions
- How much does a animal scientist make?
- The median pay is $33.14 per hour — roughly $69,000 a year, with the real range running from about $21.32/hr (10th percentile) to $79.81/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a animal scientist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a animal scientist actually do all 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.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.