As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Specialist in the United States is $98,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Animal Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Animal Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Animal Specialist | $95,583 |
| Intermediate Level Animal Specialist | $95,726 |
| Senior Level Animal Specialist | $97,486 |
| Specialist Level Animal Specialist | $99,349 |
| Expert Level Animal Specialist | $99,482 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Animal Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Networking | 11.21% |
| Security Systems | 4.67% |
| Agile | 0.93% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center Operations
|
$107,966 |
10%
|
|
Digital Transformation
|
$106,003 |
8%
|
|
Security Systems
|
$105,022 |
7%
|
|
Interviewing
|
$104,040 |
6%
|
|
Work Under Pressure
|
$104,040 |
6%
|
|
Virtualization
|
$102,077 |
4%
|
Understanding how an Animal Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for an Animal Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $90,267 in 2023 to around $88,123 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Animal Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $90,267 |
| 2024 | $88,696 |
| 2025 | $88,123 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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