How Much Does an Animal Scientist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$68,940
Animal scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $68,940 a year, or $33.14 an hour. Half of animal scientists earn more than $68,940 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $166,000.
Pay percentiles for animal scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.32 | $44,350 |
| 25th | $23.93 | $49,770 |
| 50th (median) | $33.14 | $68,940 |
| 75th | $49.67 | $103,300 |
| 90th | $79.81 | $166,000 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Animal Scientists (SOC 19-1011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for animal scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $132,830 | $63.86 | +93% |
| Minnesota | $88,640 | $42.62 | +29% |
| Wisconsin | $84,310 | $40.54 | +22% |
| Washington | $83,160 | $39.98 | +21% |
| Kansas | $80,090 | $38.50 | +16% |
| Maryland | $77,750 | $37.38 | +13% |
| Pennsylvania | $77,660 | $37.34 | +13% |
| South Dakota | $77,300 | $37.16 | +12% |
| Iowa | $75,290 | $36.20 | +9% |
| North Dakota | $72,100 | $34.66 | +5% |
| United States | $68,940 | $33.14 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many animal scientists are there?
BLS counts about 3,100 animal scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Wisconsin (280), Nebraska (210) and Maryland (190).
The mean (average) annual wage is $88,350, higher than the median of $68,940.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,745
- Biweekly
- $2,652
- Weekly
- $1,326
- Daily (8 hours)
- $265
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do animal scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for animal scientists is $33.14. The middle 50% earn between $23.93 and $49.67 an hour.
Which state pays animal scientists the most?
Texas has the highest median wage for animal scientists at $132,830, +93% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for animal scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of animal scientists earn less than $44,350 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.