Animal Scientist salary in Illinois
Animal Scientists in Illinois earn a median of $47,930 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,510 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $68,940. Illinois ranks 13th of 13 states for animal scientists pay. The average (mean) salary is $50,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal scientists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,630 | $19.06 |
| 25th percentile | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Median | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,510 | $31.98 |
| Average (mean) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
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 | $3,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.46 |
| Weekly | $921.73 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,340 | $45.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Epidemiologist | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Forester | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for animal scientists in Illinois is $47,930 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal scientists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of animal scientists in Illinois earn at least $66,510 a year. The top 25% earn $47,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal scientists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,630 a year, and a quarter of animal scientists earn $44,350 or less.