California Median
$98,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#3 of 47
2,210 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in California?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists working in California earn a median salary of $98,530 per year, or about $47.37 per hour. That is 28% above the national median of $76,780 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $58,380 while the top 10% make $177,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,250 and $168,170 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,380 | $28.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $98,530 | $47.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $168,170 | $80.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,760 | $85.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 47 states and territories for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other states
Maryland $107,500District of Columbia $107,050Alaska $90,370Mississippi $88,710Louisiana $87,460Oregon $85,150Hawaii $84,910Massachusetts $84,350Washington $83,780Colorado $83,300New Jersey $83,030Iowa $83,000New York $82,640North Dakota $81,330Illinois $79,780Vermont $79,620Michigan $79,150Montana $78,850Pennsylvania $78,540Connecticut $77,300Missouri $76,400Nevada $75,180Ohio $74,550Maine $74,490Alabama $74,290Wyoming $74,150Utah $73,920Tennessee $73,570New Hampshire $73,560Idaho $73,360Virginia $72,340Minnesota $68,620Wisconsin $68,370New Mexico $68,220Arizona $66,880Kansas $66,440Georgia $66,210South Dakota $65,890North Carolina $64,620South Carolina $64,090Oklahoma $62,730Kentucky $61,950Nebraska $57,890Indiana $54,670Florida $52,750Texas $49,100
Working as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($98,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in California?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in California is $98,530 per year, or about $47.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,380 at the entry level to $177,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 28% more than the national median of $76,780. California ranks 3rd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $98,530 a year. About 2,210 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.