Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Animal Scientists
SOC: 19-1011 O*NET: 19-1011.00
Median Salary
$79,120
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.8%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
What does a Animal Scientists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,440
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,610
25th percentile
Median
$79,120
50th percentile
Experienced
$128,450
75th percentile
Top Earners
$235,750
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,440
25th
$59,610
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$79,120
Mean: $104,970
75th
$128,450
90th
$235,750
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $187,310 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,610 and $128,450
- •Salary spread is 87.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,470 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,800
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services32.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services32.8%
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences19%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.8%
Annual Openings:200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,800
Current
2034 (Projected)2,900
+5.8%
+200
Employment Change
+5.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Animal Scientists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 16 locations
Wisconsin
230 jobs$79,7504.85x
Maryland
200 jobs$73,5604.60x
Nebraska
190 jobs$51,27011.49x
Illinois
160 jobs$60,5901.65x
Iowa
130 jobs$95,6805.25x
Michigan
120 jobs$51,2901.77x
Pennsylvania
90 jobs$77,1300.91x
South Dakota
80 jobs$56,40010.63x
Minnesota
60 jobs$138,0301.30x
Georgia
60 jobs$114,5600.74x
Texas
60 jobs$84,0100.26x
Washington
40 jobs$78,6600.68x
Ohio
40 jobs$61,6500.50x
Florida
40 jobs$57,8100.26x
Missouri
0 jobs$119,1100.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Complex Problem Solving
86%
#4
Science
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Active Listening
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.3
86%
Science
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Science
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Biological Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Forensic Science Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Physicians, Pathologists100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Science
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Science
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Animal Scientists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
Tableau
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Oracle PeopleSoft
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
9
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (2)General Responsibilities (4)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Crossbreed animals with existing strains or cross strains to obtain new combinations of desirable characteristics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •78% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Animal Scientists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Animal Scientists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Animal Scientists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.65
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.57
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.39
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.26
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.1
Innovation
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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