Animal Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Animal Scientists Make?
Animal Scientists earn a median annual salary of $79,120 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $48,440 at the 10th percentile to $235,750 at the 90th percentile — a range of $187,310. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $138,030.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,440 |
| 25th percentile | $59,610 |
| Median (50th) | $79,120 |
| 75th percentile | $128,450 |
| 90th percentile | $235,750 |
Animal Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $138,030 |
| Missouri | $119,110 |
| Georgia | $114,560 |
| Iowa | $95,680 |
| New York | $87,390 |
| Texas | $84,010 |
| Wisconsin | $79,750 |
| Washington | $78,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,130 |
| Maryland | $73,560 |
| Ohio | $61,650 |
| Illinois | $60,590 |
| Florida | $57,810 |
| South Dakota | $56,400 |
| Michigan | $51,290 |
| Nebraska | $51,270 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Animal Scientists
Animal Scientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$48,440 – $59,610 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$79,120 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$128,450 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $235,750+ |
How to Earn More as an Animal Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Animal Scientists in Iowa earn $95,680 — $16,560 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($128,450) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Animal Scientist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientistthis career | $79,120 |
| Agricultural Manager | $87,980 |
| Food Scientists and Technologist | $85,310 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $71,410 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicist | $103,650 |
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SOC: 19-1011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.