Washington Median
$83,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $76,780
State Rank
#10 of 47
1,840 employed here
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in Washington?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Washington take home a median of $83,780 annually — roughly $40.28 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $76,780.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $62,070 while the top 10% make $129,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,380 and $104,750 a year.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,070 | $29.84 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $69,380 | $33.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,750 | $50.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,850 | $62.43 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 10th 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 $84,350Colorado $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 $65,890North 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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($83,780) 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 Washington?
The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Washington is $83,780 per year, or about $40.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,070 at the entry level to $129,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists about 9% more than the national median of $76,780. Washington ranks 10th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,780 a year. About 1,840 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.