A scientist trained in animal behavior who diagnoses and resolves behavior problems in pets, zoo animals and other species through behavior modification and consultation. BLS does not publish separate figures for animal scientists; it counts them within animal scientist (SOC 19-1011), whose median pay is $68,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 19-1011
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Applied Animal Behaviorist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $68,940a year, or $33.14/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $44KTop 10% $166K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2003,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20253.4K
- Projected 20353.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 3.4K Projected 2035 3.6K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate4.4%
- Associate's4.4%
- Bachelor's13%
- Master's21.7%
- Doctorate43.5%
- Post-doctoral training13%
Highest education held by animal scientists Segment Value Certificate 4.4% Associate's 4.4% Bachelor's 13% Master's 21.7% Doctorate 43.5% Post-doctoral training 13%
Also advertised as: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Animal Behavior Consultant, Companion Animal Behaviorist.
Pay
How much do Animal Scientists make?
Every applied animal behaviorist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$68,940
Middle half earn $49,770 to $103,300
- 10th
- $44,350
- 25th
- $49,770
- 75th
- $103,300
- 90th
- $166,000
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $44,350 |
| 25th | $49,770 |
| Median | $68,940 |
| 75th | $103,300 |
| 90th | $166,000 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $68,940
- Median hourly wage
- $33.14/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $88,350
- People employed
- 3,100
Versus all US occupations
At $68,940, Animal Scientists earn 35% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $17,960 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 16% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $166,000 or more while the bottom 10% earn $44,350, a gap of 3.7×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 44% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Texas pays the most at $132,830, and still leads at $136,858 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Animal Scientists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Texas | $132,830 | $136,858 | 40 |
| 2Minnesota | $88,640 | $89,879 | 100 |
| 3Wisconsin | $84,310 | $89,601 | 280 |
| 4Washington | $83,160 | $77,710 | 40 |
| 5Kansas | $80,090 | $88,922 | N/A |
| 6Maryland | $77,750 | $74,077 | 190 |
| 7Pennsylvania | $77,660 | $79,593 | 90 |
| 8South Dakota | $77,300 | $87,260 | 90 |
| 9Iowa | $75,290 | $85,789 | 60 |
| 10North Dakota | $72,100 | $81,049 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Applied Animal Behaviorist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Animal Scientists to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 200 openings are projected each year, 5.9% of the 3,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Applied Animal Behaviorist
The Animal Behavior Society certifies two levels. The Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) credential requires a doctorate in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, or a veterinary degree plus a residency in animal behavior, along with years of professional experience. The Associate (ACAAB) level requires a research-based master's degree with specified coursework in ethology and animal learning.
Both levels require supervised experience with the species the behaviorist plans to work with, endorsement letters and adherence to an ethics code. Most people build experience through graduate research, shelter work or assisting a certified behaviorist.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as animal scientists.
- Doctoral Degree43.5%
- Master's Degree21.7%
- Bachelor's Degree13%
- Post-Doctoral Training13%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 43.5% |
| Master's Degree | 21.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 13% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Applied Animal Behaviorist do?
Applied animal behaviorists use the science of ethology and learning to solve behavior problems. They consult on dogs with aggression or separation anxiety, cats with house-soiling, horses with stall vices, and zoo animals with stress behaviors, observing the animal, analyzing the environment, and designing behavior modification plans that owners or keepers carry out.
They work with veterinarians, who rule out medical causes and prescribe any medication. Many behaviorists also teach at universities, run research on animal welfare and cognition, advise shelters on reducing stress and returns, consult for zoos on enrichment and training, and serve as expert witnesses in legal cases involving dangerous animals.
Day-to-day tasks
- Observe and analyze problem behaviors in animals
- Take detailed behavioral histories from owners or keepers
- Design behavior modification and environmental management plans
- Coordinate with veterinarians on medical rule-outs and medication
- Advise shelters and zoos on enrichment and welfare
- Conduct research on animal behavior and cognition
- Provide expert opinions in legal cases involving animals
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Applied animal behaviorists work in private consulting practices, universities, zoos, shelters and veterinary hospitals. Consultations happen in clients' homes, clinics or by video. The work mixes fieldwork and observation with report writing, teaching and research, and schedules are often flexible.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Writing4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software
- Human resources software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Applied Animal Behaviorist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ISR) built on O*NET's Animal Scientist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Applied Animal Behaviorist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.9
- Realistic5.4
- Conventional3.4
- Social3.3
- Enterprising2.4
- Artistic2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Applied Animal Behaviorist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Management
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with animal scientists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Applied Animal Behaviorist$68,940
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Applied Animal Behaviorist | $68,940 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Applied Animal Behaviorist appears on
Questions
Applied Animal Behaviorist: frequently asked questions
How much do Animal Scientists make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for animal scientists. It counts them within animal scientist, whose median pay is $68,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $49,770 and $103,300, and the top 10% earn $166,000 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Applied Animal Behaviorist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Animal Scientists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 43.5% hold doctoral degree.
Is Applied Animal Behaviorist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Applied Animal Behaviorist do?
Applied animal behaviorists use the science of ethology and learning to solve behavior problems. A typical task: observe and analyze problem behaviors in animals. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Business intelligence and data analysis software, Computer aided design CAD software.
Which states pay Animal Scientists the most?
The highest state medians for Animal Scientists are Texas ($132,830), Minnesota ($88,640), Wisconsin ($84,310) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Applied Animal Behaviorist?
O*NET scores Animal Scientists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, ISTP, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.