Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$107,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+39% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#2 of 47
140 employed here

How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in District of Columbia?

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in District of Columbia take home a median of $107,050 annually — roughly $51.47 an hour — which runs 39% above the national median of $76,780.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $85,190 while the top 10% make $161,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,200 and $140,670 a year.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$85,190$40.96
25th percentile (early career)$85,200$40.96
50th percentile (median)$107,050$51.47
75th percentile (experienced)$140,670$67.63
90th percentile (top earners)$161,470$77.63

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 47 states and territories for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$107,500
2District of Columbia$107,050
3California$98,530
4Alaska$90,370
5Mississippi$88,710

Working as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($107,050) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in District of Columbia is $107,050 per year, or about $51.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $85,190 at the entry level to $161,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 39% more than the national median of $76,780. District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $107,050 a year. About 140 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.