Tennessee Median
$73,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#29 of 47
310 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in Tennessee?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Tennessee take home a median of $73,570 annually — roughly $35.37 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $76,780.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $50,840 while the top 10% make $99,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,210 and $87,730 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,210 | $28.47 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,570 | $35.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $87,730 | $42.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,330 | $47.75 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 29th 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 $73,920New 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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($73,570) 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 Tennessee?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Tennessee is $73,570 per year, or about $35.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,840 at the entry level to $99,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 4% less than the national median of $76,780. Tennessee ranks 29th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $73,570 a year. About 310 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.