Tracking Compensation & Growth Across the Region
As Asia cements its position as a global leader in animal health innovation and production, professionals across the region are seeing promising trends in compensation and career opportunities. Whether you're in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutrition, livestock management, or veterinary services, the market is evolving rapidly—and salaries are rising to reflect that.
In our July 2025 snapshot, we explore the average salaries in key Asian markets and highlight the fastest-growing sectors within each.
Average Salaries Across the Region (USD)
- Japan & South Korea: USD 64,000
- China: USD 62,000
- Southeast Asia (average): USD 57,000
- India: USD 55,000
These figures reflect full-time, mid- to senior-level professionals in roles such as technical sales, regulatory affairs, product development, R&D, and animal production systems.
Japan & South Korea: Innovation and Companion Animal Care on the Rise
Average Salary: USD 64,000
Top Growth Areas:
- Companion animal pharmaceuticals, driven by aging pet populations and premiumisation
- Regulatory affairs and quality assurance, especially for international firms entering strict regulatory environments
- Biotech diagnostics, with increased investment in early disease detection technologies
These high-income markets reward advanced technical expertise and cross-functional capabilities. Bilingual professionals with global experience are particularly valued.
China: Livestock Biosecurity and AgTech Demand Surging
Average Salary: USD 62,000
Top Growth Areas:
- Livestock production systems, as pig, poultry, and aquaculture operations modernise
- Veterinary diagnostics, driven by lessons from recent animal disease outbreaks
- Digital animal health (AgTech), including farm-based data monitoring and automation
China is scaling up both its domestic capabilities and exporting expertise. There's strong demand for talent that can navigate both traditional production and cutting-edge innovation.
Southeast Asia: Expanding Production and Demand for Technical Specialists
Average Salary: USD 57,000
Countries included: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar
Top Growth Areas by Country:
- Thailand: Animal vaccine manufacturing and veterinary public health
- Vietnam: Aquaculture health and shrimp diagnostics
- Indonesia: Poultry health and biosecurity consulting
- Malaysia: Feed additive development and regulatory compliance
- Philippines: Commercial veterinary sales and poultry integration
- Singapore: Regional R&D and HQ roles in pharma and pet nutrition
- Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar: Entry-level commercial and field technical services
Southeast Asia is experiencing high demand for skilled workers in both field-based and HQ roles. Salaries vary widely, but mobility and cross-border experience are major assets.
India: Strong Talent Pipeline and Growing Global Partnerships
Average Salary: USD 55,000
Top Growth Areas:
- Contract Research Organizations (CROs), supporting clinical trials and outsourced R&D
- Animal nutrition and feed innovation, especially in poultry, dairy, and aqua sectors
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly for generic injectables and export markets
India offers a cost-effective, talent-rich base for animal health operations. Professionals with strong scientific backgrounds and business development skills are in high demand.
Emerging Markets to Watch in Asia
While the spotlight often falls on Asia’s larger economies, several emerging markets are quietly expanding their footprint in the animal health sector. These regions may not yet offer the salary levels of China, Japan, or Korea, but they present growing opportunities for technical experts, commercial professionals, and multinational companies looking to scale.
- Bangladesh is rapidly modernising its poultry and aquaculture sectors, with increasing demand for vaccines, diagnostics, and production expertise.
- Pakistan, one of the world's largest livestock producers, is seeing rising interest in veterinary pharmaceuticals and biosecurity, despite infrastructure challenges.
- Taiwan maintains a robust poultry and pet health market, with regulatory sophistication and a growing number of regional roles.
- Hong Kong serves as a high-value, niche market for premium companion animal health services and diagnostics, as well as a strategic location for regional business operations.
- Sri Lanka is focused on improving food safety and livestock productivity through veterinary support, often in partnership with NGOs and government programs.
As these markets continue to develop, they offer new frontiers for professionals seeking meaningful impact and for companies aiming to build long-term regional presence.
Salary Conversions – Southeast Asia Spotlight
For comparison, here is how USD 57,000 translates to local currencies across Southeast Asia:
Indonesia 947,900,000 IDR
Malaysia 244,300 MYR
Singapore 74,200 SGD
Thailand 1,866,600 THB
Philippines 3,282,400 PHP
Vietnam 1,499,666,880 VND
Brunei 71,544 BND
Laos1,252,124,800 LAK
Key Takeaways
- Technical sales, R&D, and regulatory roles continue to command higher salaries across the region
- China, Japan, and Korea remain the highest-paying markets due to advanced infrastructure and demand for innovation
- Southeast Asia offers rapid growth opportunities—especially for those willing to travel or work across multiple markets
- Bilingual professionals and those with regional experience are best positioned to lead in cross-border roles
- Emerging markets like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Taiwan are worth watching as future growth centres
Are You Being Paid What You’re Worth?
With salaries on the rise and competition heating up, now is a smart time to evaluate your market value. Whether you’re exploring new opportunities or negotiating a raise, insights like these can give you the leverage you need.
See the full salary breakdown or browse open roles across Asia at ANHJobs.com
How do these salaries compare to your own experience? Share your thoughts or connect with us to benchmark your role.