How long does it take to become an animal scientist?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do animal scientists make?

The US median is $68,940 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an animal scientist?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become an animal scientist?

224 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become an animal scientist

Science · SOC 19-1011

$68,940US median pay, 2025

+5.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

200Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as an animal scientist

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Agriculture, General	CIP 01.0000	146
Animal Sciences, General	CIP 01.0901	116
Range Science and Management	CIP 01.1106	23
Dairy Science	CIP 01.0905	15
Animal Sciences, Other	CIP 01.0999	11
Animal Health	CIP 01.0903	7
Poultry Science	CIP 01.0907	7
Veterinary Pathology and Pathobiology	CIP 01.8108	7
Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology	CIP 01.8107	4
Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health	CIP 01.8110	4
Veterinary Infectious Diseases	CIP 01.8106	3
Anthrozoology	CIP 30.3401	3
Animal Nutrition	CIP 01.0904	2
Veterinary Physiology	CIP 01.8109	2
Agricultural Animal Breeding	CIP 01.0902	1
Large Animal/Food Animal and Equine Surgery and Medicine	CIP 01.8103	1
Apiculture	CIP 01.0310	0
Veterinary Anatomy	CIP 01.8105	0
Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology	CIP 01.8111	0
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Other	CIP 01.8199	0

See the 224 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an animal scientist?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do animal scientists make?: The US median is $68,940 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an animal scientist?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become an animal scientist?: 224 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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