Animal Scientists Salary
The median pay for a animal scientists in Wisconsin is $84,310/year ($40.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $89,378 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 22.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Wisconsin?
About animal scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Wisconsin
Wisconsin sits well above the national pay line for animal scientists, local pay runs about 22% higher than the U.S. median of $69K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,202/month, 22.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Wisconsin offers a genuinely strong financial position for animal scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level animal scientists (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $154K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Scientists salary by metro in Wisconsin
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $84K | +0% | 220 |
Compare to other states
Track animal scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a animal scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 22.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for animal scientists in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new animal scientists typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,444/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Wisconsin?
Local pay is 22% above the national median — $84K here vs. $69K nationally.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for animal scientists?
Wisconsin pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do animal scientists make in Wisconsin?
The median is $84,310 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,400, and experienced animal scientists can clear $153,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,356/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 22.4% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (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 $89,378 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.