Animal Scientists

19-1011.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

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

Also known as: Animal Anatomist, Animal Behaviorist, Animal Biologist, Animal Geneticist, Animal Nutrition Consultant, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Bacteriologist, ...

Annual Salary

$79,120

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$59,610 25th – 75th percentile $128,450
10th percentile $48,440
90th percentile $235,750
U.S. Employment: 2,470

Job Outlook

+5.8%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Bachelor's degree

What You'd Do

  • Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
  • Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
  • Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
  • Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
  • Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
  • Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
  • Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
  • Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
  • Crossbreed animals with existing strains or cross strains to obtain new combinations of desirable characteristics.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.1
Writing 4.0
Science 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0
Complex Problem Solving 4.0
Active Listening 3.9
Speaking 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Biology 4.6
Mathematics 4.1
English Language 4.1
Chemistry 4.0
Food Production 3.8
Education and Training 3.5
Customer and Personal Service 3.4
Computers and Electronics 3.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Doctoral
43.5%
Master's
21.7%
Bachelor's
13%
Post-Doctoral
13%
Certificate
4.4%
Associate's
4.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Autodesk AutoCAD ESRI ArcGIS software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Oracle PeopleSoft SAS Structured query language SQL Tableau

Other Tools

Best Linear Unbiased Prediction BLUP Cowculator COWGAME DAGRIS Database software Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequence analysis software Domestic Animal Diversity Information Service DAD-IS Email software FEEDLOT CALC Master Ration Calculator Nutrition Balance Analyzer NUTBAL Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals OMIA Oracle HRIS VSNi ASReml VSNi GenStat +2 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.5
Intellectual Curiosity
2.3
Innovation
2.3
Attention to Detail
2.3
Dependability
2.1
Achievement Orientation
1.8
Integrity
1.7
Perseverance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Analyzing Data or Information 4.6
Working with Computers 4.5
Getting Information 4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.4
Processing Information 4.4
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others 4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3
Thinking Creatively 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Telephone Conversations
4.7
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.4
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.4
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.3
Contact With Others
4.2
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.2
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.0
Written Letters and Memos
3.9
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
3.8

Related Careers

Animal Breeders
$52K
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
$46K
Dietetic Technicians
$37K
Biological Technicians
$52K
Agricultural Inspectors
$51K
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
$37K
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$74K
Food Science Technicians
$49K
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
$36K
Agricultural Technicians
$47K

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.