Animal Scientists Salary
The median pay for a animal scientists in Minnesota is $88,640/year ($42.62/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $203K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $95,724 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Minnesota?
About animal scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for animal scientists, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $69K. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level animal scientists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $203K or more, a $139K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Scientists salary by metro in Minnesota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $77K | -14% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track animal scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a animal scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for animal scientists in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new animal scientists typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,811/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is animal scientist a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $89K here vs. $69K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for animal scientists?
Minnesota pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $96K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do animal scientists make in Minnesota?
The median is $88,640 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,520, and experienced animal scientists can clear $202,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,512/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 25.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a animal scientists salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median animal scientists salary is worth about $95,724 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do animal scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.