Illinois Median
$79,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#16 of 47
250 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in Illinois?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists working in Illinois earn a median salary of $79,780 per year, or about $38.36 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $76,780 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $55,690 while the top 10% make $112,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,220 and $97,470 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,690 | $26.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,220 | $29.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,780 | $38.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $97,470 | $46.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,900 | $54.28 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 16th 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 $107,050California $98,530Alaska $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 $81,330Vermont $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($79,780) 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 Illinois?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Illinois is $79,780 per year, or about $38.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,690 at the entry level to $112,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 4% more than the national median of $76,780. Illinois ranks 16th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,780 a year. About 250 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.