Animal Scientist salary in Washington
Animal Scientists in Washington earn a median of $83,160 a year ($39.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,450 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $68,940. Washington ranks 4th of 13 states for animal scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 animal scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $86,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal scientists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| 25th percentile | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| Median | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| 75th percentile | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Average (mean) | $86,440 | $41.56 |
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 | $6,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,465 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,198.46 |
| Weekly | $1,599.23 |
| Hourly | $39.98 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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?
The median salary for animal scientists in Washington is $83,160 a year, or $39.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal scientists make in Washington?
The top 10% of animal scientists in Washington earn at least $112,450 a year. The top 25% earn $95,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal scientists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,730 a year, and a quarter of animal scientists earn $63,730 or less.
How many animal scientists work in Washington?
About 40 animal scientists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.