Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Animal scientists work in a specialized field that combines science, analytical thinking, and problem solving. With a national median annual salary of $79,120 and national employment of about 3,000, this is a relatively small but well‑defined profession. The role draws heavily on science, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking, supported by strong writing, reading, and communication abilities. Creativity and innovation, along with computers and information technology, leadership, and project management, round out the core skill set. The occupation has a projected employment growth rate of 5.8%, indicating anticipated expansion over time. While the number of positions nationwide is limited, there are clear regional hotspots where opportunity scores, salaries, and employment levels are stronger. For students and professionals who enjoy scientific work, data-driven analysis, and structured problem solving, animal science can offer a focused career path with defined educational expectations and a blend of technical and communication-based skills.
Animal scientists earn a national median annual salary of $79,120, with notable variation across states and metro areas. At the state level, Texas stands out with a median salary of $132,830, the highest among the top states listed. Minnesota ($88,640) and Washington ($83,160) also offer higher median wages than Maryland ($77,750) and North Dakota ($72,100). Among metro areas, Madison, WI shows a median salary of $84,310, while the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro offers $82,810. Other key metros such as Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($77,880), Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($76,530), and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($63,740) present a range of earnings. This spread suggests that location decisions can significantly influence earning potential for animal scientists, particularly for those considering Texas or higher-paying metros like Madison and the greater Washington, DC area.
Animal scientists have national employment of about 3,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 5.8%. This indicates an expectation of employment expansion over the projection period. The data report 0 annual openings, which highlights that this is a small occupation with limited turnover or new positions captured in the available figures. Because growth is projected but annual openings are listed as 0, job seekers should expect a niche labor market where positions may be relatively few and regionally concentrated. The consistent 5.8% growth figure seen across top states and metro areas suggests that this projected rate is broadly applied within the profession. For students and career changers, this means that while the field is not large, it is not static, and some new opportunities are expected to emerge over time, particularly in locations with higher opportunity scores and existing employment bases.
Location plays a significant role in career planning for animal scientists, with notable differences in salaries, employment levels, and opportunity scores. Among states, Washington has a median salary of $83,160, employment of 40, and the highest state opportunity score listed at 56.29. Maryland has a larger employment base at 190 and an opportunity score of 52.88, while Texas combines a relatively small employment count of 40 with a very high median salary of $132,830 and an opportunity score of 51.57. Minnesota and North Dakota both employ about 100 and 40 animal scientists respectively, with mid-to-upper-range salaries and opportunity scores just under 50. At the metro level, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area leads with an opportunity score of 64.47, a median salary of $82,810, and employment of 160. Madison, WI stands out with the largest listed metro employment (220) and a strong median salary of $84,310. These figures point to several regional clusters where opportunities are more concentrated.
The typical education requirement for animal scientists is a bachelor’s degree, providing a structured academic pathway into the field. Success in this career depends on a broad and rigorous skill set. Science and mathematics form the technical foundation, supported by strong critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Writing and reading are essential for communicating findings and interpreting information, while speaking and listening skills support effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders. Competence with computers and information technology is also important, reflecting the data-driven nature of modern scientific work. Creativity and innovation help animal scientists develop new approaches and insights, and leadership and project management skills are valuable for organizing work, coordinating efforts, and guiding projects. Together, this combination of education and skills supports a career that blends scientific expertise with communication, organization, and strategic thinking.
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