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Science

Animal Scientists

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

Median salary (BLS)

$68,940

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$44k – $166k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Animal Scientists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Master's degree

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$64,000–$230,000

Time to qualify

6 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Master's degree

    Degree

    Typically two years; average graduate tuition ≈ $20,000/yr at public universities (NCES).

    $24,000–$80,000 · 2 years source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Animal Scientists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Animal Scientists Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Animal Scientists

    Entry / Junior

    $44,350

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Animal Scientists

    Established

    $68,940

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Animal Scientists

    Senior

    $117,470

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.