Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Animal scientists
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 40% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.8% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $68,940
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.8%
- Openings a year
- 200
- People doing it (2025)
- 3,400
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Present research or technical information
- Advise others on business or operational matters
- Develop operational or technical procedures or standards
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Research agricultural processes or practices
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) improves data collection, assisting these workers in providing consulting services on animal nutrition and disease control.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Food scientists and technologistsGrows with AI, Index 61, +6.2%
- Architectural and engineering managersGrows with AI, Index 56, +5.5%
- Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectorsGrows with AI, Index 43, +5.4%
- Civil engineersGrows with AI, Index 44, +6.4%
Also known as: Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Research Scientist, Animal Nutrition Consultant, Beef Cattle Specialist, Companion Animal Nutritionist, Dairy Nutrition Consultant.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.