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Animal nutritionist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$68,940median pay per year, or $33.14 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $44,350lowest 10% earn less
  2. $49,77025th percentile
  3. $68,940median
  4. $103,30075th percentile
  5. $166,000top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[6]

Animal scientists, the BLS category whose job titles include animal nutritionist[1], had a median pay of $68,940 a year[2]. Jobs are projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, a little faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.8%[3]
Openings per year
200[7]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[8]

How much do animal nutritionists make?

The median wage for animal scientists was $68,940 a year, or $33.14 an hour, in May 2025[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[2]. For all occupations the median was $50,980[6]. The average was higher at $88,350 a year[9], which fits a wide spread of pay at the top.

Here is the range for annual pay[5]:

Point in the range Annual wage Source
10th percentile[5] $44,350
25th percentile[5] $49,770
Median[2] $68,940
75th percentile[5] $103,300
90th percentile[5] $166,000

The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $44,350[5]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10]. Hourly pay at the same points ran from $21.32 at the 10th percentile to $79.81 at the 90th[11].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[12]. About 3,100 people held wage and salary jobs in this field[13].

Pay by state and city

Among the 13 states with published data, Texas had the highest median at $132,830, but it rests on only 40 jobs[14]. Minnesota ($88,640) and Wisconsin ($84,310) came next[14].

Wisconsin had the most jobs, at 280, followed by Nebraska with 210 and Maryland with 190[15]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Madison, WI had the highest median at $84,310[16]. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria followed at $82,810, then Lincoln, NE at $79,410[16]. Madison also had the most metro jobs, at 220[17].

Show median pay in 13 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Texas[14]$132,83040
Minnesota$88,640100
Wisconsin$84,310280
Washington$83,16040
Kansas$80,090n/a
Maryland$77,750190
Pennsylvania$77,66090
South Dakota$77,30090
Iowa$75,29060
North Dakota$72,10040
Michigan$60,01080
Nebraska$55,300210
Illinois$47,930n/a

How to become an animal nutritionist

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related job and no on-the-job training[8].

In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 43% said a doctoral degree is required, 22% said a master's degree, 13% said a bachelor's degree and 13% said post-doctoral training[22]. This is a small survey, so read it as a sample of how some workers see the job.

The training details here come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of agricultural and food scientists[18]. That profile says licenses matter most for people in plant and soil sciences, and that certifications are generally not required[23][24].

What animal nutritionists do

O*NET describes the work as research on the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth and development of domestic farm animals[25]. Common tasks include[26]:

Where they work

For the wider group of agricultural and food scientists, work happens in laboratories, in offices and in the field. Field visits can be to farms or processing plants[27]. Some positions involve travel, and the amount varies widely[28]. Production sites can bring noise, hot or cold temperatures and close contact with animal byproducts, and protective gear may be needed[29]. Food manufacturing was the largest employer of agricultural and food scientists, at 18%[30]. Most work full time[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of animal scientists to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,400 to 3,600 jobs[3]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers, and 4.6% of animal scientists were self-employed in 2025[3][32].

About 200 openings a year are projected[7]. Those openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 1.3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a research-focused job with pay above the all-occupation median[2][6]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry level[8], but some workers in an O*NET survey report that higher degrees are required[22]. Growth is projected slightly above average, yet the field is small at about 3,100 wage and salary jobs[13][3][4]. Pay varies a lot, with the 90th percentile at $166,000[5].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an animal nutritionist make a year?
The median wage for animal scientists was $68,940 a year in May 2025[2]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,350 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $166,000[5].
How much does an animal nutritionist make an hour?
The median was $33.14 an hour[2]. The 10th percentile was $21.32 and the 90th was $79.81[11].
What degree do you need to be an animal nutritionist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[8]. For some jobs, employers may want or require a master's or doctoral degree[19].
Is animal science in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4]. About 200 openings a year are projected[7].
What is the highest paying state for animal scientists?
Texas had the highest median at $132,830, based on 40 jobs[14]. Minnesota was next at $88,640[14].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET 19-1011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Animal Nutrition Consultant, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Beef Cattle Specialist, Companion Animal Nutritionist, Dairy Nutrition Consultant, Dairy Research Nutritionist. O*NET OnLine
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Animal Scientists in the US was $68,940 per year and $33.14 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Animal Scientists is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,400 to 3,600 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Animal Scientists: 10th percentile $44,350, 25th percentile $49,770, 75th percentile $103,300, 90th percentile $166,000. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 200 openings for Animal Scientists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Animal Scientists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Animal Scientists was $88,350 per year and $42.48 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Animal Scientists: 10th percentile $21.32, 25th percentile $23.93, 75th percentile $49.67, 90th percentile $79.81. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,100 people were employed as Animal Scientists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. Median annual wage for Animal Scientists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Animal Scientists jobs: Wisconsin 280; Nebraska 210; Maryland 190; California 140; Minnesota 100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Animal Scientists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Madison, WI $84,310; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $82,810; Lincoln, NE $79,410. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Animal Scientists jobs: Madison, WI 220 (median $84,310); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 160 (median $82,810); Lincoln, NE 100 (median $79,410); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 60 (median $77,880); Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 40 (median $63,740); Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR 40 (median $240,370). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Agricultural and Food Scientists" covers Animal Scientists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 19-1011.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 43%, Master's Degree 22%, Bachelor's Degree 13%, Post-Doctoral Training 13% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Animal Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Animal Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural and food scientists in 2025: Food manufacturing 18%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 4.6% of Animal Scientists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Animal Scientists: 1.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.