Animal Scientists Salary
The median pay for a animal scientists in North Dakota is $72,100/year ($34.66/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $81,111 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 21.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of North Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $72K get you in North Dakota?
About animal scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
Animal scientists pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $72K locally vs. $69K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 21.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, North Dakota
Entry-level animal scientists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $154K or more, a $102K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track animal scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a animal scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 21.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for animal scientists in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new animal scientists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,079/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $72K locally vs. $69K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for animal scientists?
North Dakota pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do animal scientists make in North Dakota?
The median is $72,100 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,320, and experienced animal scientists can clear $153,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,809/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 21.5% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $81,111 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.