Animal Scientist salary in Madison, WI
Animal Scientists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $84,310 a year ($40.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,450 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $68,940. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,310. There are 0.54 animal scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 27.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal scientists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 25th percentile | $70,150 | $33.73 |
| Median | $84,310 | $40.54 |
| 75th percentile | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,450 | $81.95 |
| Average (mean) | $95,940 | $46.13 |
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 | $7,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,512.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,242.69 |
| Weekly | $1,621.35 |
| Hourly | $40.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,530 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Forester | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for animal scientists in the Madison, WI metro area is $84,310 a year, or $40.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal scientists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of animal scientists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $170,450 a year. The top 25% earn $100,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal scientists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,400 a year, and a quarter of animal scientists earn $70,150 or less.
How many animal scientists work in Madison, WI?
About 220 animal scientists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.