Average Salary for Animal Scientists
SOC 19-1011 · Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Animal Scientists in the United States is $79,120 ($38.04/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $48,440 at the 10th percentile to $235,750 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 2,470 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 29.5% since 2014.
Median Annual
$79,120
Mean Annual
$104,970
10th Pct
$48,440
75th Pct
$128,450
Employment
2,470
Salary Distribution
$48k
10th
$60k
25th
$79k
Median
$128k
75th
$236k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $218,610 |
| Madison, WI | $81,330 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,800 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,560 |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,380 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $60,290 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,900 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $54,260 |
Salary by State
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Animal Scientists broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $138,040 |
| Wholesale Trade | $138,030 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | $136,090 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $124,940 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $124,940 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $124,940 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $122,420 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $122,420 |
| Manufacturing | $119,640 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $109,600 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $97,930 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $97,930 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $82,090 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $81,990 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $79,250 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $79,250 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $75,870 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $75,870 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $74,910 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $67,740 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $66,130 |
| Educational Services | $65,190 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | $64,940 |
| Support Activities for Animal Production | $64,940 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $64,940 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $60,590 |
| Educational Services | $60,590 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $49,350 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $49,350 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $49,350 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $47,710 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $79,120 |
| 2023 | $70,140 |
| 2022 | $69,390 |
| 2021 | $65,090 |
| 2020 | $63,490 |
| 2019 | $60,300 |
| 2018 | $58,380 |
| 2017 | $60,760 |
| 2016 | $60,330 |
| 2015 | $60,390 |
| 2014 | $61,110 |