How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make?
The median zoologist and wildlife biologist in the United States earns $76,780 per year, about $36.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1023.
Zoologist and wildlife biologist salary range
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,100 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,440. The average (mean) wage of $83,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,100 | $23.61 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,180 | $29.41 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,780 | $36.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $96,100 | $46.20 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,440 | $60.79 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for zoologists and wildlife biologists (SOC 19-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Zoologist and wildlife biologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Zoologists and wildlife biologists earn the most in Maryland at $107,500 a year, and the least in Texas at $49,100. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | 140 |
| California | $98,530 | 2,210 |
| Alaska | $90,370 | 650 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | 50 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | 470 |
| Washington | $83,780 | 1,840 |
| Colorado | $83,300 | 730 |
| New Jersey | $83,030 | 90 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | 90 |
| New York | $82,640 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $81,330 | 100 |
| Illinois | $79,780 | 250 |
| Vermont | $79,620 | 70 |
| Michigan | $79,150 | 330 |
| Montana | $78,850 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,540 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $77,300 | 110 |
| Missouri | $76,400 | 120 |
| Nevada | $75,180 | 190 |
| Ohio | $74,550 | 220 |
| Maine | $74,490 | 330 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | 290 |
| Wyoming | $74,150 | 320 |
| Utah | $73,920 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $73,570 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $73,560 | 40 |
| Idaho | $73,360 | 380 |
| Virginia | $72,340 | 290 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $68,370 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $68,220 | 170 |
| Arizona | $66,880 | 410 |
| Kansas | $66,440 | 160 |
| Georgia | $66,210 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $65,890 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $64,620 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $64,090 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $62,730 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $61,950 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $57,890 | 140 |
| Indiana | $54,670 | 120 |
| Florida | $52,750 | 1,400 |
| Texas | $49,100 | 580 |
State median wages for zoologists and wildlife biologists (SOC 19-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for zoologists and wildlife biologists
The BLS projects employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 19,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 20,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for zoologists and wildlife biologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a zoologist and wildlife biologist
The typical entry-level education for zoologists and wildlife biologists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a zoologist and wildlife biologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $107,500) and the lowest (Texas, $49,100) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 18,120 people work as zoologists and wildlife biologists in the United States. At $76,780 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Zoologist and wildlife biologist salary FAQ
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a zoologist and wildlife biologist is $36.91. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn between $29.41 and $46.20 per hour.
What is the highest zoologist and wildlife biologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more than $126,440 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a zoologist and wildlife biologist is $76,780. The average (mean) wage of $83,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a zoologist and wildlife biologist a well paid job?
At $76,780 a year, a zoologist and wildlife biologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 18,120 people work as zoologists and wildlife biologists in the United States.
Which state pays zoologists and wildlife biologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists at $107,500 a year. District of Columbia ($107,050) and California ($98,530) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a zoologist and wildlife biologist a good career?
Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a zoologist and wildlife biologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for zoologists and wildlife biologists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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