Career Overview
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Also Known As
- Animal Nutritionist
- Animal Scientist
- Beef Cattle Nutritionist
- Research Scientist
Alternate Job Titles
- Animal Anatomist
- Animal Behaviorist
- Animal Biologist
- Animal Geneticist
- Animal Nutrition Consultant
- Animal Nutritionist
- Animal Scientist
- Bacteriologist
- Beef Cattle Nutritionist
- Beef Cattle Specialist
- Behaviorist
- Companion Animal Nutritionist
- Dairy Bacteriologist
- Dairy Nutrition Consultant
- Dairy Nutrition Specialist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
- Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Food Production
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAS
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Analytic balances
- Animal blood analyzers
- Animal catching equipment
- Animal feed mixers
- Animal feeders
- Animal heater lamps
- Artificial insemination kits
- Atomic absorption AA spectrometers
- Automatic carbon dioxide CO2 incubators
- Balling guns
- Benchtop centrifuges
- Blood collection syringes
- Bomb calorimeters
- Brooders
- Bunsen burners
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $48,440 |
| Median | $79,120 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $235,750 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,470
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Food Scientists and Technologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $85,310
Soil and Plant Scientists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $71,410
Microbiologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $87,330
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $87,980
Veterinarians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $125,510
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.