Animal scientists
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Animal scientists conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals. The role reports a median annual salary of $79,120 in the US and is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.45 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £45,382 a year for Biological scientists (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2112). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Animal scientists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
-
Agriculture — B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture (four years)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG, MHT CET, KCET, AP EAPCET, TS EAPCET
-
Veterinary Science — BVSc & AH — Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (five and a half years, including a one-year internship)
Entrance exams: NEET-UG
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Entrance exams on this route — Dates, eligibility and cut-offs for the exams on the way to this career:
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Biology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Food Production
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Animal scientists do?
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
How much does Animal scientists earn?
The median annual salary for Animal scientists in the US is $79,120.
What is the job outlook for Animal scientists?
The role is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 2,800 workers.
How do I become animal scientists?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Animal scientists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Science. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Animal scientists?
Our AI-durability model gives Animal scientists a score of 0.45 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Animal scientists has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.