Salaries for animal behaviorists depend, to a great extent on the type of employment they have, as well as the geographic location, responsibilities, experience, and education of the individual.
According to the Department of Labor, in 2023 individuals working in this field as animal scientists had median earnings of $70,140. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $162,000. Those working for farm product raw material merchant wholesalers earned the highest annual salaries, averaging $134,940, while those working for federal, state, and local governments earned the next highest salaries, averaging $125,900.
Individuals who are self-employed, such as those who go into people's homes to help train and modify behavior of family pets who exhibit destructive behavior, separation anxiety, excessive barking, or aggression may charge hourly fees ranging from $50 to $150 or more.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Animal Caretakers
- Animal Handlers
- Animal Physical Therapists
- Animal Trainers
- Aquaculturists
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Astrobiologists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioinformatics Specialists
- Biologists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biophysicists
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Biotechnology Research Assistants
- Botanists
- Climate Scientists
- CRISPR Scientists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Drug Developers
- Environmental Scientists
- Epidemiologists
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Genealogists
- Genetic Scientists
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Marine Biologists
- Medical Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Naturalists
- Neuroscientists
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Pathologists
- Pet Shop Workers
- Pet Sitters
- Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Rewilders
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary Technicians
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zookeepers
- Zoologists