# Animal Scientists

> Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/animal-scientists
- SOC code: 19-1011.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $68,940 (10th percentile $44,350, 90th percentile $166,000)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.8%
- Openings a year: 200
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 71 |
| Investigative (I) | 99 |
| Artistic (A) | 16 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 23 |
| Conventional (C) | 39 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 89/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 87/100)
- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 86/100)
- Processing Information (importance 84/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 82/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 82/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 77/100)
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Science, Writing, Active Learning, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Biology, Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Food Production, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics, Sales and Marketing, Administration and Management

## Also called

Animal Anatomist, Animal Behaviorist, Animal Biologist, Animal Geneticist, Animal Nutrition Consultant, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Bacteriologist, Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Beef Cattle Specialist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Agricultural Production Operations](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0103) (CIP 0103, 294 colleges)
- [Agriculture, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0100) (CIP 0100, 195 colleges)
- [Animal Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0109) (CIP 0109, 167 colleges)
- [Plant Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0111) (CIP 0111, 162 colleges)
- [Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0181) (CIP 0181, 43 colleges)
- Anthrozoology (CIP 3034, 5 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | Agriculture, General | $56,536 | $84,412 | not reported |
| [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus-1896) | Agricultural Production Operations | $66,359 | $83,779 | $23,246 |
| [South Dakota State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/south-dakota-state-university-2445) | Plant Sciences | $58,913 | $78,494 | $20,500 |
| [California State University-Fresno](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-fresno-369) | Plant Sciences | $63,767 | $77,034 | $19,250 |
| [University of California-Davis](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-davis-2882) | Plant Sciences | $45,345 | $72,335 | not reported |
| [Purdue University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/purdue-university-main-campus-2163) | Agricultural Production Operations | $62,437 | $71,868 | not reported |
| [Texas State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-state-university-2709) | Agriculture, General | $40,985 | $71,237 | $20,715 |
| [Washington State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/washington-state-university-3171) | Agricultural Production Operations | $59,003 | $69,708 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Food Scientists and Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/food-scientists-and-technologists): $88,720 median pay
- [Soil and Plant Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/soil-and-plant-scientists): $78,850 median pay
- [Microbiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microbiologists): $87,990 median pay
- [Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers): $89,900 median pay
- [Veterinarians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/veterinarians): $130,100 median pay
- [Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/agricultural-sciences-teachers-postsecondary): $98,700 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.