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Environment, plants and animals

Animal Scientist

Studies the breeding, nutrition, growth and health of farm animals to improve their welfare and the food they produce.

Animal scientists work for universities, feed and breeding companies, government agencies and farms, often moving between the lab, the office and the field. It suits people who like biology and animals and are happy to work with livestock in all weathers.

Also called Animal nutritionist, Animal nutrition consultant or Dairy nutrition consultant.

At a glance

Way in
Master's degree, often in animal science, agriculture, animal nutrition and biology
Pay in the US
$68,940 a year, the medianFor animal scientists, 2025
US outlook
Faster than average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You like animals and biology and want science that farmers can put to use.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does an animal scientist do?

  • Design feeding trials to find diets that keep animals healthy and productive.
  • Use genetic data to choose breeding animals with useful traits.
  • Study fertility and growth to improve both productivity and animal welfare.
  • Visit farms to collect samples, record measurements and advise on feed.
  • Analyse results and write reports or papers for farmers and other scientists.

Where they work

  • University research farms
  • Feed and nutrition companies
  • Breeding companies
  • Government agriculture agencies
  • Livestock farms

Skills

The skills an animal scientist needs

  • Animal biologyphysiology, nutrition and reproduction of livestock
  • Data analysisstatistics for feeding trials and breeding records
  • Practical handlingworking safely and calmly with large animals
  • Lab methodsfeed analysis, sampling and basic genetics
  • Communicationpractical advice that farmers can act on
  • Welfare focusputting animal health and humane care first

Route in

How to become an animal scientist

  1. Study biology and chemistry at school, and get experience with animals on a farm.
  2. Take a degree in animal science, agriculture or a related biology subject.
  3. Specialise with a master's in an area such as animal nutrition or breeding.
  4. Do a PhD if you want to lead research, or join a feed or breeding company as a nutritionist.

Degrees people take

  • Animal science
  • Agriculture
  • Animal nutrition
  • Biology

Many research posts ask for a PhD, while some industry and advisory jobs take people with a bachelor's or master's.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

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Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

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