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Occupation · SOC 19-1011

Animal Scientists

There are 3,100 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $68,940 a year. The most jobs are in Madison, WI.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
3,100
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$68,940
Median pay a year
Middle half: $49,770–$103,300
200
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.8%
130
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+16.1% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

9 of 9 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Madison, WIMedian pay $84,310 · LCA filings 2220$84,3102
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $82,810 · LCA filings 0160$82,8100
Lincoln, NEMedian pay $79,410 · LCA filings 0100$79,4100
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $77,880 · LCA filings 160$77,8801
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $63,740 · LCA filings 040$63,7400
Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, ARMedian pay $240,370 · LCA filings 440$240,3704
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $76,530 · LCA filings 340$76,5303
Omaha, NE–IAMedian pay $73,740 · LCA filings 040$73,7400
Lansing–East Lansing, MIMedian pay $55,450 · LCA filings 230$55,4502

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AREmployment 40 · LCA filings 4$240,370404
Madison, WIEmployment 220 · LCA filings 2$84,3102202
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 160 · LCA filings 0$82,8101600
Lincoln, NEEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$79,4101000
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployment 60 · LCA filings 1$77,880601

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AREmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 404140
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 403240
Madison, WIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 22021220
Lansing–East Lansing, MIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 302130
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 601160

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Madison, WILevel II $80,454 · Level III $95,784 · Level IV $111,114$65,125$80,454$95,784$111,114
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $79,581 · Level III $95,888 · Level IV $112,174$63,294$79,581$95,888$112,174
Lincoln, NELevel II $66,102 · Level III $81,120 · Level IV $96,117$51,106$66,102$81,120$96,117
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $69,805 · Level III $82,514 · Level IV $95,202$57,117$69,805$82,514$95,202
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $65,624 · Level III $75,150 · Level IV $84,677$56,098$65,624$75,150$84,677
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $84,094 · Level III $96,741 · Level IV $109,366$71,469$84,094$96,741$109,366
Omaha, NE–IALevel II $62,941 · Level III $76,586 · Level IV $90,230$49,296$62,941$76,586$90,230
Lansing–East Lansing, MILevel II $53,269 · Level III $59,530 · Level IV $65,811$46,987$53,269$59,530$65,811

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Animal SciencesCIP 01.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months276STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Agriculture, GeneralCIP 01.00OPT · up to 12 months82OPT · up to 12 months
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical SciencesCIP 01.81 · Usually needs more educationVaries by program118Varies by program

See Animal Scientists in every metro area

All 9 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology