Career comparison
Animal Scientist vs. Farm Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Farm managers earn more at the median ($89,900 vs. $68,940), while animal scientists usually get to work faster (4-year degree of training). Animal scientists research livestock nutrition, breeding and health to improve food production. Farm managers run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Animal Scientist | Farm Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,940 ($33.14/hr) | $89,900 ($43.22/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,350 – $166,000 | $54,320 – $160,020 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.8% (faster than average) | -3.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 70,800 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4-year degree | 5+ years of farm experience |
| Key credential | PAS | Private pesticide applicator license |
| Work setting | Animal scientists work in labs, farms and offices.. | Farm managers work outdoors in fields and barns and in farm offices, in all weather.. |
What each job does
Animal Scientist
- Research nutrition
- Design feed rations
- Study genetics
- Study welfare
- Advise producers
Farm Manager
- Plan crop and livestock production
- Manage planting, harvesting and animal care
- Hire and supervise workers
- Maintain equipment and facilities
- Manage budgets, loans and insurance
How they’re similar
Both careers involve in-demand, working outdoors, and hands-on work. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose animal scientist if…
- I love animals and agriculture
- I like science
- I don’t mind farms
Choose farm manager if…
- I love land and animals
- I want to run my own business
- I can handle risk
Still torn? Take the Animal Scientist fit quiz and the Farm Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, animal scientist or farm manager?
Farm Managers earn more at the median: $89,900 versus $68,940 for animal scientists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Animal Scientists typically train faster (4-year degree) than farm managers (5+ years of farm experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects animal scientists to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for farm managers.