Animal scientists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Animal scientists typically conduct research on domestic farm animals. With a focus on food production, they explore animal genetics, nutrition, reproduction, diseases, growth, and development. They work to develop efficient ways to produce and process meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. Animal scientists may crossbreed animals to make them more productive or improve other characteristics. They advise farmers on how to upgrade housing for animals, lower animal death rates, increase growth rates, or otherwise increase the quality and efficiency of livestock.
- Education Required
- Every state has at least one land-grant college that offers agricultural science degrees. Many other colleges and universities also offer agricultural science degrees or related courses. Degrees in related sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or in a related engineering specialty also may qualify people for many agricultural science jobs.
- Job Outlook
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The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 7% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Some states require soil scientists to be licensed to practice. Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally include holding a bachelors degree with a certain number of credit hours in soil science, working under a licensed scientist for a certain number of years, and passing an exam.
- Median pay: How much do Agricultural and Food Scientists make?
- $62,920 Annual Salary
- $30.25 per hour
Careers for Agricultural and Food Scientists
- Agricultural scientists
- Agriculturists
- Agronomists
- Animal geneticists
- Animal nutritionists
- Arboreal scientists
- Beef cattle nutritionists
- Crop nutrition scientists
- Dairy bacteriologists
- Dairy scientists
- Enologists
- Floriculturists
- Food preservation scientists
- Food processing scientists
- Food safety scientists
- Food scientists
- Food scientists and technologists
- Food technologists
- Horticulturists
- Plant physiologists
- Plant scientists
- Pomologists
- Poultry scientists
- Soil fertility extension specialists
- Soil scientists
- Swine genetics researchers
- Viticulturists