How to become an Animal Scientist
Official title: Animal Scientists
Also called: Animal Nutrition Consultant, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Beef Cattle Specialist, Companion Animal Nutritionist, Dairy Nutrition Consultant, Dairy Research Nutritionist, Research Scientist, Scientist
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Main 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.
How to become one
Agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in animal science, food science, plant biology, or a related field. Employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Veterinary & Animal Science degrees, Offered by 9 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $68,940 a year The middle half earn $49,770 to $103,300.
- About 3,400 people work in this job now, and about 3,600 are projected by 2035. (+5.8%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Related jobs
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Microbiologists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Bioinformatics Scientists
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Animal Scientist?
Agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in animal science, food science, plant biology, or a related field. Employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.
How much does an Animal Scientist earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $68,940 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $49,770 to $103,300.
Is an Animal Scientist a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 3,400 to about 3,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Animal Scientist?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Animal Scientist?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.