Science
Animal scientist
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Median pay
$68,940
Growth to 2035
+6%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
200
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Animal scientist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Animal scientist: 78% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
Also called: Animal Nutrition Consultant · Animal Nutritionist · Animal Scientist · Beef Cattle Nutritionist · Beef Cattle Specialist · Companion Animal Nutritionist · Dairy Nutrition Consultant · Dairy Research Nutritionist
Outlook and AI
Animal scientists held 3,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 3,600 by 2035 (+6%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Animal scientist vs. Food scientists and technologists
- Animal scientist vs. Soil and plant scientists
- Animal scientist vs. Microbiologist
- Animal scientist vs. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Animal scientist vs. Veterinarian
- Animal scientist vs. Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Animal scientist vs. Biochemists and biophysicists
- Animal scientist vs. Biological scientists, all other
- Animal scientist vs. Zoologists and wildlife biologists