Continental Search has officially released the 2025 Animal Health & Nutrition (AHN) Technical Professional Salary Survey. This edition is the sixth in the series and remains one of the industry’s most trusted compensation reports.
This year’s survey includes responses from over 300 professionals who work across animal nutrition, health, pharmaceuticals, pet food, integrated operations, and consulting. It offers a detailed view of salaries, bonuses, education trends, and job movement patterns in a wide range of technical roles.
Continental Search extended its thanks to all who participated in the survey and to those who patiently awaited its release. The 2025 edition reflects the most comprehensive data set since the survey began.
A Glimpse at the Key Findings
The report provides compensation data across dozens of job types. These include feed formulators, technical service reps, consultants, and pet nutrition professionals. Below are some of the most notable findings:
- Over Half of Tech Support Professionals Earn Above $150K
Out of 86 respondents in technical or sales support roles, 55 reported base salaries over $150,000, and 27 exceeded $190,000. Many of these professionals work without direct reports and support external customers. The data shows that non-management roles can lead to strong compensation outcomes.
- Pet Nutrition Professionals Report Some of the Highest Salaries
Pet food formulators and companion animal specialists form a smaller group in the survey, but their compensation levels are among the highest. All respondents in this category earned at least $130,000, and two earned over $220,000. Every person in this group held a PhD.
- PhD-Level Dairy Experts Remain Top Earners
Among solo contributors in dairy-focused roles, 39% held PhDs, and many reported earnings between $170,000 and $220,000. In this sector, educational background continues to have a strong influence on compensation.
- Bonuses Are Playing a Larger Role in Total Pay
Incentive pay is becoming more significant across roles:
- In technical support, 82% of respondents reported bonuses between 10% and 30% of their base salary.
- In integrated companies, 44% received bonuses in that same range.
- Some consultants and pet nutrition experts reported bonus percentages that exceeded 30.
These bonuses often apply to solo contributors, not just those in leadership positions.
- Job Seekers Are Expecting More Than Ever
Among respondents open to new roles, 69% expect at least a 15% raise, and 39% expect more than 20%. Expectations have increased year over year, showing a shift in how technical professionals value their experience and contributions.
What the Survey Covers
The 2025 report features compensation data across several key roles, including:
- Feed and pet food formulators
- Technical support and sales specialists
- Independent consultants and solo practitioners
- Product development and R&D professionals
- Integrated company nutritionists and veterinarians
- University-based researchers and extension specialists
It also segments results by:
- Species focus (dairy, poultry, swine, beef, pet, equine)
- Education level and advanced degrees
- Number of direct reports
- Incentive structures and bonus levels
- Company scale (global, national, or regional)
- Salary expectations related to job movement
Request the Full Report
To receive a full copy of the 2025 AHN Technical Professional Salary Survey or to request insight on specific roles or trends, contact:
Dan Simmons at Dan@continentalsearch.com.
Additional analysis and data interpretation are available upon request.
For more than two decades, Continental Search has served the AHN industry by connecting technical talent with leading employers in the U.S. and Canada. This annual survey is part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to support professionals, promote transparency, and help employers stay informed about changing compensation standards.
Pet Nutrition Professionals Are Quietly Among the Highest Paid
In Animal Health and Nutrition (AHN), much of the spotlight shines on large-scale sectors like dairy, swine, and poultry. Yet, pet nutrition professionals are quietly taking the lead in one important area: compensation.
The 2025 AHN Technical Professional Salary Survey confirms this. Pet food formulators and nutritionists, though a small group, rank among the highest-paid professionals in the entire field.
What the Numbers Reveal
The survey identified three pet nutritionists in the feed/formulator category. It also included two companion animal technical support professionals. Although the sample size is small, the trend is clear and consistent.
Salary Range # of Respondents
$130K–$150K 1 (no direct reports)
$150K–$170K 1 (3+ direct reports)
$190K–$220K 2
Over $220K 2
None of the respondents earned below $130K.
All held PhDs, a common factor likely contributing to their strong compensation.
The Role Breakdown
Here’s how their roles and pay align:
- One solo contributor supporting internal customers earned $130K–$150K with a 10–20% bonus.
- One manager of 1–2 direct reports earned $190K–$220K with a 0–10% bonus.
- Another manager with 3+ direct reports earned $150K–$170K with a 10–20% bonus.
- Two companion animal tech support professionals earned $190K–$220K or more. One surpassed the $220K mark.
Despite differences in team size or reporting lines, their pay stayed consistently high. This suggests that the value of expertise in this sector drives compensation more than organizational level.
Why Is Pet Nutrition So Competitive?
- Growing Global Demand
Pet ownership is rising around the world. The global pet food market is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research, 2024). This growth has fueled demand for premium, specialized diets. As a result, companies are investing more in formulation, palatability, and nutritional science. This makes highly skilled professionals essential.
- Scientific Specialization
Pet nutrition demands cross-disciplinary knowledge. Professionals must consider flavor, digestibility, and species-specific health needs. Many roles require PhD-level expertise, especially in high-end brands offering specialized solutions for gut health, allergies, and breed-specific diets.
- Internal Product Development Focus
Unlike production animal sectors, pet food formulators usually work internally. They’re embedded in innovation, regulatory, or R&D teams. Because they contribute to intellectual property, they often have more influence over product outcomes—and more leverage when negotiating pay.
Career Implications
For Professionals
If you work in dairy, swine, or poultry and hold a PhD, consider pivoting to pet nutrition. The pay is competitive, and the work is often centralized, offering more flexibility. Many roles are brand-focused and allow hybrid or remote options, especially in innovation-driven companies.
For Employers
Recruiting in pet nutrition is tough. The talent pool is small, and compensation expectations are high. You’ll need to offer strong pay, attractive bonuses, and cultural alignment to win top-tier candidates. As more companies enter the space, competition for talent will intensify.
Final Thought
Pet nutrition might be a small slice of AHN, but it’s commanding big rewards. Every respondent in the survey earned at least $130K, and 40% reported earning over $190K.
This niche is growing and rewarding the experts who lead it. As demand increases, expect salaries to rise even higher. For PhD-level professionals seeking impact and income, pet nutrition could be the most strategic move in AHN today.
Over Half of Tech Support Pros Earn More Than $150K
You don’t need a fancy title or a team to earn a big paycheck in Animal Health and Nutrition. If you’re working in technical or sales support, the numbers are on your side.
According to the 2025 AHN Technical Professional Salary Survey, 55 out of 86 tech support professionals earn over $150,000. And nearly a third earn $190,000 or more. These roles do not always include team leadership, yet they remain among the best-compensated across the industry.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The survey gathered results from 86 professionals who work in tech support or technical sales. Here’s how their salaries broke down:
Base Salary Range Number of People
$150K to $170K 17
$170K to $190K 19
$190K to $220K 19
Over $220K 8
That’s 63 percent earning more than $150K.
And 27 people said they make $190K or more.
Eight reported over $220K.
These are not outliers. The earnings reflect a strong pattern.
Who Are These High Earners?
Most of them work for animal nutrition suppliers, and a third represent animal health or pharmaceutical companies. A significant portion supports the entire United States, and 11 percent work internationally.
Many bring advanced credentials. Fifty-nine percent hold a PhD, DVM, or equivalent, and over half support external customers. This mix of technical knowledge and direct field engagement creates strong business value, which often translates into higher compensation.
Bonuses Make the Numbers Even Bigger
Base salaries are only part of the story. Many respondents reported incentive pay, and for a lot of them, the bonus is substantial.
Here’s what they shared:
- 55 percent receive bonuses between 10 and 20 percent
- 27 percent earn 20 to 30 percent
- 6 percent go beyond 30 percent
- Only 13 percent earn below 10 percent
When you add that to a $170K base, it adds up fast.
So Why Are Tech Support Pros Paid So Well?
Because they do more than support. They translate complex ideas, fix real problems, and keep customers happy. They bring expertise, but they also build trust.
Many work directly with clients. Some spend their days on farms, in feed mills, or in meetings. They answer tough questions. They make sure products work. They help close deals, and they keep those deals going.
That kind of impact is hard to replace. So companies pay for it.
What It Means for Professionals
If you’re in tech support today and wondering if you need to manage a team to move forward, the answer is no. You can stay in a non-managerial role and still earn at the top of the pay scale. Many do.
Advanced degrees can help, but so does being a trusted face in the field. The more you help solve problems and support client outcomes, the stronger your earning potential becomes. And if you already bring strong technical knowledge, now is a good time to invest in your communication skills too.
Because the more you support customers directly, the more you’re likely to earn.
What It Means for Employers
Companies that value strong technical service should act with urgency. The most skilled professionals are already in demand. If your compensation lags, others will offer more.
Pay alone will not keep your best people, but it sets the tone. Matching incentives to contribution is no longer optional.
Final Thoughts
Technical support in AHN is not a low-growth category. Over half of these professionals earn more than $150,000, and many receive much more. They solve problems, support customers, and bring results that companies value.
The opportunity is clear. If you’re already in this space, stay sharp.
If you’re hiring, stay competitive. The numbers speak for themselves.
