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Animal nutritionist: Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries: £17,000 - £20,000 (salary data collected May 08).
• Range of typical salaries for PhD holders: £23,000 - £31,000 (salary data collected May 08).
• Range of typical salaries with 10-15 years' experience: £36,000 - £50,000 (salary data collected May 08).
• Higher degrees may not attract a higher salary, particularly in technical work.
• Jobs in sales and marketing are usually better paid than working directly with animals.
• Working hours typically include regular extra hours, but not weekends or shifts.
• Self-employment and freelance or consultancy work may be possible once you have built up a reputation.
• Consultants often work from home, though jobs are available in most parts of the UK, especially in rural areas.
• It may be necessary or possible to build up a portfolio career, including a combination of employment in commercial research, advising on a freelance or consultancy basis, and teaching relevant courses in an agricultural college or university.
• In some jobs, animal nutritionists may spend much time working alone, with team meetings every one to two months.
• Farm visits may be made to plan the nutritional aspects of existing animal husbandry systems, or to assess the value of a particular feedstuff.
• There are opportunities to specialise, for example, in poultry or dairy cows, although this varies according to demand.
• There are roughly equal numbers of men and women in the profession.
• Clothing requirements vary and usually include a white coat for the laboratory, smart formal wear for meetings and waterproof outdoor clothes and boots for work on farms.
• An up-to-date tetanus immunisation is recommended.
• The work may involve a high level of stress because of heavy workloads and financial pressures.
• A driving licence may be essential for travel between clients.
• Travel within the working day is often required in some jobs and overnight absence from home may sometimes be necessary.
• Opportunities to work overseas include employment on ranches in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, as well as projects in the developing world.

AGCAS

Written by Janice Smith, AGCAS

Last updated:

June 2008

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