New Mexico Median
$68,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#35 of 47
170 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in New Mexico?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists working in New Mexico earn a median salary of $68,220 per year, or about $32.80 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $76,780 for this occupation.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $51,080 while the top 10% make $96,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,480 and $80,290 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,080 | $24.56 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $63,480 | $30.52 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,220 | $32.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,290 | $38.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 35th 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 $81,330Illinois $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 $68,370Arizona $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 New Mexico
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 New Mexico pay ($68,220) 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 New Mexico?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in New Mexico is $68,220 per year, or about $32.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,080 at the entry level to $96,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 11% less than the national median of $76,780. New Mexico ranks 35th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,220 a year. About 170 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in New Mexico. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.