Virginia Median
$72,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#32 of 47
290 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in Virginia?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Virginia take home a median of $72,340 annually — roughly $34.78 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $76,780.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $49,960 while the top 10% make $104,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,440 and $90,230 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,960 | $24.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,440 | $28.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,340 | $34.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $90,230 | $43.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 32nd 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 $73,360Minnesota $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($72,340) 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 Virginia?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Virginia is $72,340 per year, or about $34.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,960 at the entry level to $104,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 6% less than the national median of $76,780. Virginia ranks 32nd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $72,340 a year. About 290 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.