North Carolina Median
$64,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#40 of 47
350 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in North Carolina?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in North Carolina take home a median of $64,620 annually — roughly $31.07 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $76,780.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $48,370 while the top 10% make $122,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,470 and $81,330 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,370 | $23.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,470 | $27.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,620 | $31.07 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,120 | $58.71 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 40th 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 $68,370New Mexico $68,220Arizona $66,880Kansas $66,440Georgia $66,210South Dakota $65,890South Carolina $64,090Oklahoma $62,730Kentucky $61,950Nebraska $57,890Indiana $54,670Florida $52,750Texas $49,100
Working as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($64,620) 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 North Carolina?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in North Carolina is $64,620 per year, or about $31.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,370 at the entry level to $122,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 16% less than the national median of $76,780. North Carolina ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,620 a year. About 350 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.