Animal Scientist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Animal Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $82,810 a year ($39.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,520 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $68,940. Pay here is 7% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $77,750. There are 0.05 animal scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| 25th percentile | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Median | $82,810 | $39.81 |
| 75th percentile | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,520 | $73.81 |
| Average (mean) | $96,050 | $46.18 |
Half of animal scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,900.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,450.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,185 |
| Weekly | $1,592.50 |
| Hourly | $39.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $77,880 | 60 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $63,740 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for animal scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $132,830 |
| Minnesota | $88,640 |
| Wisconsin | $84,310 |
| Washington | $83,160 |
| Kansas | $80,090 |
| Maryland | $77,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,660 |
| South Dakota | $77,300 |
| Iowa | $75,290 |
| North Dakota | $72,100 |
See Animal Scientist pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Microbiologist | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Conservation Scientist | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,780 | $54.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $126,120 | $60.63 |
| Forester | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal scientist make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for animal scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $82,810 a year, or $39.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of animal scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $153,520 a year. The top 25% earn $109,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,350 a year, and a quarter of animal scientists earn $64,890 or less.
How many animal scientists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 160 animal scientists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.