Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist Salary
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn a median $76,780 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What zoologists and wildlife biologists do
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,062
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,760
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,113
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$62,845
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,100 | $23.61 | $41,632 |
| 25th percentile | $61,180 | $29.41 | $51,338 |
| Median (50th) | $76,780 | $36.91 | $62,845 |
| 75th percentile | $96,100 | $46.20 | $76,436 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,440 | $60.79 | $97,688 |
Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 | +30.1% | $79,711 | $63,060 – $156,750 | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | — | $78,009 | $85,190 – $161,470 | 140 |
| California | $98,530 | +19.3% | $71,931 | $58,380 – $177,760 | 2,210 |
| Alaska | $90,370 | +6.8% | $72,405 | $59,280 – $126,920 | 650 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | +1.9% | $68,421 | $52,610 – $141,130 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | +1.9% | $68,121 | $65,400 – $119,430 | 50 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | +0.0% | $62,112 | $54,640 – $113,350 | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | +14.6% | $63,641 | $65,650 – $125,630 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | −4.7% | $64,173 | $45,310 – $138,940 | 470 |
| Washington | $83,780 | +2.1% | $67,769 | $62,070 – $129,850 | 1,840 |
| Colorado | $83,300 | +7.7% | $64,475 | $60,590 – $116,390 | 730 |
| New Jersey | $83,030 | +7.3% | $64,143 | $59,420 – $128,790 | 90 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | +3.0% | $64,718 | $59,850 – $90,420 | 90 |
| New York | $82,640 | — | $63,102 | $58,240 – $117,860 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $81,330 | −1.0% | $65,719 | $55,700 – $103,500 | 100 |
| Illinois | $79,780 | +1.5% | $61,151 | $55,690 – $112,900 | 250 |
| Vermont | $79,620 | +5.6% | $62,048 | $65,690 – $98,340 | 70 |
| Michigan | $79,150 | +0.2% | $61,399 | $58,720 – $104,250 | 330 |
| Montana | $78,850 | +23.1% | $61,207 | $62,540 – $96,100 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,540 | +11.3% | $61,672 | $48,060 – $113,920 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $77,300 | +7.3% | $60,534 | $50,440 – $118,110 | 110 |
| Missouri | $76,400 | −1.3% | $59,924 | $57,620 – $108,080 | 120 |
| Nevada | $75,180 | +24.0% | $61,719 | $49,600 – $119,090 | 190 |
| Ohio | $74,550 | −0.6% | $60,008 | $45,700 – $108,930 | 220 |
| Maine | $74,490 | +11.3% | $57,387 | $51,690 – $97,680 | 330 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | +14.5% | $57,644 | $47,120 – $99,600 | 290 |
| Wyoming | $74,150 | +0.1% | $60,995 | $56,420 – $90,920 | 320 |
| Utah | $73,920 | +5.6% | $58,472 | $51,060 – $96,100 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $73,570 | +22.7% | $60,586 | $50,840 – $99,330 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $73,560 | +5.9% | $60,579 | $48,660 – $108,850 | 40 |
| Idaho | $73,360 | +0.8% | $57,659 | $49,840 – $96,100 | 380 |
| Virginia | $72,340 | +8.7% | $56,376 | $49,960 – $104,920 | 290 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 | −2.7% | $53,961 | $45,630 – $101,210 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $68,370 | +3.7% | $54,685 | $42,950 – $91,170 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $68,220 | +2.6% | $54,782 | $51,080 – $96,100 | 170 |
| Arizona | $66,880 | −5.0% | $54,417 | $48,400 – $96,100 | 410 |
| Kansas | $66,440 | +5.0% | $52,657 | $54,850 – $77,290 | 160 |
| Georgia | $66,210 | +4.2% | $52,566 | $54,970 – $115,150 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $65,890 | +5.9% | $55,123 | $53,410 – $87,640 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $64,620 | +4.3% | $52,033 | $48,370 – $122,120 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $64,090 | +4.2% | $50,988 | $46,740 – $111,830 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $62,730 | +9.3% | $50,306 | $48,650 – $88,610 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $61,950 | +9.3% | $49,906 | $46,960 – $83,040 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $57,890 | +5.1% | $46,940 | $45,350 – $83,350 | 140 |
| Indiana | $54,670 | +2.8% | $44,524 | $44,180 – $76,900 | 120 |
| Florida | $52,750 | +2.6% | $44,565 | $39,900 – $97,660 | 1,400 |
| Texas | $49,100 | −3.0% | $41,632 | $39,800 – $106,020 | 580 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $127,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.3% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
| Animal Scientist | $68,940 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make?
The national median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $76,780 a year ($36.91 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,100 and the top 10% earn over $126,440. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays zoologists and wildlife biologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $107,500.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists are there in the U.S.?
About 18,120 people work as zoologists and wildlife biologists nationwide.