How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make?
The median pay for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the United States is $76,780 per year — about $36.91 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $49,100, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $126,440.
That is $15,390 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary range by percentile
Half of all Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn between $61,180 and $96,100 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,100 | $23.61 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,180 | $29.41 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,780 | $36.91 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,100 | $46.20 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,440 | $60.79 |
Highest-paying states for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maryland leads the country for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay at $107,500 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($107,050) and California ($98,530). At the other end, Texas posts the lowest median at $49,100 — a gap of $58,400 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $107,500 | $51.68 | +40% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $107,050 | $51.47 | +39% |
| 3 | California | $98,530 | $47.37 | +28% |
| 4 | Alaska | $90,370 | $43.45 | +18% |
| 5 | Mississippi | $88,710 | $42.65 | +16% |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 47 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 18,000 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $83,020 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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