Animal Scientist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Animal Scientists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$47,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $68,940
State Rank
#13 of 13
state estimate

How much does an Animal Scientist make in Illinois?

Animal Scientists in Illinois take home a median of $47,930 annually — roughly $23.04 an hour — which runs 30% below the national median of $68,940.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $39,630 while the top 10% make $66,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,350 and $47,960 a year.

Animal Scientist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,630$19.05
25th percentile (early career)$44,350$21.32
50th percentile (median)$47,930$23.04
75th percentile (experienced)$47,960$23.06
90th percentile (top earners)$66,510$31.98

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 13th out of 13 states and territories for Animal Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Texas$132,830
2Minnesota$88,640
3Wisconsin$84,310
4Washington$83,160
5Kansas$80,090

Working as an Animal Scientist in Illinois

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Animal Scientists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($47,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Animal Scientist make in Illinois?
The median Animal Scientist salary in Illinois is $47,930 per year, or about $23.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,630 at the entry level to $66,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Animal Scientists about 30% less than the national median of $68,940. Illinois ranks 13th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Animal Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,930 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Animal Scientist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.