Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
The median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in the United States is $76,780 per year ($36.91/hour). Salaries range from $49,100 at the entry level to $126,440+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 18,120 zoologists and wildlife biologists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$76,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.91
per hour
Employment
18,120
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$49,100
25th percentile
$61,180
Median
$76,780
75th percentile
$96,100
90th percentile
$126,440
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+1.6%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
1,400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$49K$108K■ No data
Top Paying States
Maryland
$108K
+40%
District of Columbia
$107K
+39%
California
$99K
+28%
Alaska
$90K
+18%
Mississippi
$89K
+16%
Louisiana
$87K
+14%
Oregon
$85K
+11%
Hawaii
$85K
+11%
Massachusetts
$84K
+10%
Washington
$84K
+9%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 | +40.0% |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | +39.4% |
| California | $98,530 | +28.3% |
| Alaska | $90,370 | +17.7% |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | +15.5% |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | +13.9% |
| Oregon | $85,150 | +10.9% |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | +10.6% |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | +9.9% |
| Washington | $83,780 | +9.1% |
Showing 1–10 of 47
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,940 | +69.2% |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $122,170 | +59.1% |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $113,800 | +48.2% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,330 | +35.9% |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $99,490 | +29.6% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,230 | +29.2% |
| Salem, OR | $98,110 | +27.8% |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $97,040 | +26.4% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,450 | +25.6% |
| Worcester, MA | $93,930 | +22.3% |
Showing 1–10 of 98
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A zoologists and wildlife biologists earning $76,780/year would need 776 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 834 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how zoologists and wildlife biologists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary trend (2011–2024) →