19 Series · SOC 19-1023
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $76,780
- Median / year
- +5.4%
- 2024→2025
- $126,440
- Top 10% earn
- +1.6%
- Growth '24–'34
- 18,120
- Estimated US jobs
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn a median of $76,780 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $76,780, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $49,100 (10th percentile) to $126,440 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 18,120 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is Maryland ($107,500).
The pay verdict
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn a median of $76,780, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 69% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Life, Physical, and Social Science, it ranks #30 of 48 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.6% by 2034.
- $76,780
- Median annual wage
- Top 31%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #30 of 48
- in Life, Physical, and Social Science
- 2.6×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Maryland at $107,500. Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists moved from $63,270 in May 2019 to $76,780 in May 2025 (+21.4%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists sits -3.1 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023) has a national median of $76,780 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $49,100 to $126,440, and the published mean is $83,020. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 18,120 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 48 state or territory areas and 139 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $72,860 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $76,780 in May 2025, a rise of $3,920 (+5.4%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.6% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as about as fast as average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 1,400 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Bachelor's degree as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Maryland pays the highest state median at $107,500, which is +40% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $129,940, a small-sample estimate from fewer than 100 workers. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$76,780
per year
Median Hourly
$36.91/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$83,020
average
Employment
18,120
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$76,780 Top 31% higher than 69% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 (this entry) | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$76,780 · 69th percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 19-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Medical Scientists, …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.7%, Median annual wage $103410
- Occupational Health …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.5%, Median annual wage $90150
- Environmental Scient…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $82220
- Chemists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.9%, Median annual wage $91240
- Clinical and Counsel…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11.2%, Median annual wage $100580
- Life, Physical, and …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $62280
- Biological Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $57510
- School Psychologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.7%, Median annual wage $95990
- Chemical Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.7%, Median annual wage $60390
- Biological Scientist…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.2%, Median annual wage $98920
- Urban and Regional P…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $89320
- Social Scientists an…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -1.7%, Median annual wage $101110
- Environmental Scienc…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4%, Median annual wage $55090
- Biochemists and Biop…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.8%, Median annual wage $127410
- Social Science Resea…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $61990
- Occupational Health …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.5%, Median annual wage $61560
- Forest and Conservat…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -3.2%, Median annual wage $54560
- Conservation Scienti…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $73010
- Geoscientists, Excep…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.2%, Median annual wage $101920
- Physical Scientists,…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.6%, Median annual wage $122570
- Physicists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4%, Median annual wage $172250
- Forensic Science Tec…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.8%, Median annual wage $72060
- Microbiologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $87990
- Psychologists, All O…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.3%, Median annual wage $110840
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.6%, Median annual wage $76780
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+1.6%
About as fast as average
Annual Openings
1,400
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+300
18,200 (2024) → 18,500 (2034)
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
1.5/100K
Injury Rate
0.7/100
Danger Index
3.6/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- ▸ Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- ▸ Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- ▸ Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
- ▸ Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- ▸ Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- ▸ Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
- ▸ Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
- ▸ Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
- ▸ Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $59,680 |
| 2016 | $60,520 |
| 2017 | $62,290 |
| 2018 | $63,420 |
| 2019 | $63,270 |
| 2020 | $66,350 |
| 2021 | $64,650 |
| 2022 | $67,430 |
| 2023 | $70,600 |
| 2024 | $72,860 |
| 2025 | $76,780 |
2015 median
$59,680
2025 median
$76,780
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$13,510 (+21.4%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+3.3%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $59,680 | First banked release | 17,910 |
| May 2016 | $60,520 | +1.4% | 17,720 |
| May 2017 | $62,290 | +2.9% | 17,710 |
| May 2018 | $63,420 | +1.8% | 17,860 |
| May 2019 | $63,270 | Classification break | 19,250 |
| May 2020 | $66,350 | +4.9% | 17,200 |
| May 2021 | $64,650 | -2.6% | 15,930 |
| May 2022 | $67,430 | +4.3% | 17,410 |
| May 2023 | $70,600 | +4.7% | 17,100 |
| May 2024 | $72,860 | +3.2% | 16,920 |
| May 2025 | $76,780 | +5.4% | 18,120 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $59,680 in May 2015 to $76,780 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +3.3% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 19,250 in May 2019 to 18,120 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 48 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $107,500 | +40% above national |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $107,050 | +39% above national |
| 3 | California | $98,530 | +28% above national |
| 4 | Alaska | $90,370 | +18% above national |
| 5 | Mississippi | $88,710 | +16% above national |
| 6 | Louisiana Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $87,460 | +14% above national |
| 7 | Oregon | $85,150 | +11% above national |
| 8 | Hawaii | $84,910 | +11% above national |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $84,350 | +10% above national |
| 10 | Washington | $83,780 | +9% above national |
| 11 | Colorado | $83,300 | +8% above national |
| 12 | New Jersey Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,030 | +8% above national |
| 13 | Iowa Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,000 | +8% above national |
| 14 | New York | $82,640 | +8% above national |
| 15 | North Dakota | $81,330 | +6% above national |
| 16 | Illinois | $79,780 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Vermont Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,620 | +4% above national |
| 18 | Michigan | $79,150 | +3% above national |
| 19 | Montana | $78,850 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $78,540 | +2% above national |
| 21 | Connecticut | $77,300 | +1% above national |
| 22 | Missouri | $76,400 | same as national |
| 23 | Nevada | $75,180 | 2% below national |
| 24 | Ohio | $74,550 | 3% below national |
| 25 | Maine | $74,490 | 3% below national |
| 26 | Alabama | $74,290 | 3% below national |
| 27 | Wyoming | $74,150 | 3% below national |
| 28 | Utah | $73,920 | 4% below national |
| 29 | Tennessee | $73,570 | 4% below national |
| 30 | New Hampshire Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,560 | 4% below national |
| 31 | Idaho | $73,360 | 4% below national |
| 32 | Virginia | $72,340 | 6% below national |
| 33 | Minnesota | $68,620 | 11% below national |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $68,370 | 11% below national |
| 35 | New Mexico | $68,220 | 11% below national |
| 36 | Arizona | $66,880 | 13% below national |
| 37 | Kansas | $66,440 | 13% below national |
| 38 | Georgia | $66,210 | 14% below national |
| 39 | South Dakota | $65,890 | 14% below national |
| 40 | North Carolina | $64,620 | 16% below national |
| 41 | South Carolina | $64,090 | 17% below national |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $62,730 | 18% below national |
| 43 | Kentucky | $61,950 | 19% below national |
| 44 | Nebraska | $57,890 | 25% below national |
| 45 | Puerto Rico | $57,110 | 26% below national |
| 46 | Indiana | $54,670 | 29% below national |
| 47 | Florida | $52,750 | 31% below national |
| 48 | Texas | $49,100 | 36% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.9% under 100 workers against 2.3% at 100 or more (May 2025 state estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
Lowest Paying Metros
View all 97 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $129,940 | +69% above national |
| 2 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $122,170 | +59% above national |
| 3 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $113,800 | +48% above national |
| 4 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,330 | +36% above national |
| 5 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $99,490 | +30% above national |
| 6 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,230 | +29% above national |
| 7 | Salem, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $98,110 | +28% above national |
| 8 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $97,040 | +26% above national |
| 9 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,450 | +26% above national |
| 10 | Worcester, MA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $93,930 | +22% above national |
| 11 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $93,500 | +22% above national |
| 12 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $89,880 | +17% above national |
| 13 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $88,740 | +16% above national |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $88,240 | +15% above national |
| 15 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $86,670 | +13% above national |
| 16 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $86,400 | +13% above national |
| 17 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $85,940 | +12% above national |
| 18 | Bismarck, ND Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $85,330 | +11% above national |
| 19 | Corvallis, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $85,150 | +11% above national |
| 20 | Anchorage, AK | $85,130 | +11% above national |
| 21 | Salinas, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,900 | +11% above national |
| 22 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,620 | +10% above national |
| 23 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,500 | +10% above national |
| 24 | Grand Junction, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,360 | +10% above national |
| 25 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $84,240 | +10% above national |
| 26 | Helena, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,230 | +10% above national |
| 27 | Bend, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,780 | +9% above national |
| 28 | Medford, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,780 | +9% above national |
| 29 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,490 | +9% above national |
| 30 | Boulder, CO | $83,300 | +8% above national |
| 31 | Bozeman, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,230 | +8% above national |
| 32 | Kennewick-Richland, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $82,880 | +8% above national |
| 33 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $82,500 | +7% above national |
| 34 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,360 | +7% above national |
| 35 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $81,040 | +6% above national |
| 36 | Eugene-Springfield, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,990 | +5% above national |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,980 | +5% above national |
| 38 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $80,540 | +5% above national |
| 39 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,360 | +5% above national |
| 40 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $80,260 | +5% above national |
| 41 | Mobile, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,110 | +4% above national |
| 42 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $79,780 | +4% above national |
| 43 | Columbia, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,580 | +4% above national |
| 44 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,440 | +3% above national |
| 45 | Richmond, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,220 | +3% above national |
| 46 | Reno, NV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,160 | +3% above national |
| 47 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,010 | +3% above national |
| 48 | Bangor, ME Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,000 | +3% above national |
| 49 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,850 | +3% above national |
| 50 | Yakima, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,460 | +2% above national |
| 51 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,380 | +2% above national |
| 52 | Portland-South Portland, ME Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $77,290 | +1% above national |
| 53 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $77,280 | +1% above national |
| 54 | Boise City, ID | $77,210 | +1% above national |
| 55 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $76,600 | same as national |
| 56 | Columbus, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $75,400 | 2% below national |
| 57 | Montgomery, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $75,210 | 2% below national |
| 58 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $75,190 | 2% below national |
| 59 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $74,710 | 3% below national |
| 60 | Missoula, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,920 | 4% below national |
| 61 | Coeur d'Alene, ID Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,360 | 4% below national |
| 62 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,280 | 5% below national |
| 63 | Colorado Springs, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $72,860 | 5% below national |
| 64 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,760 | 5% below national |
| 65 | Ogden, UT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $72,160 | 6% below national |
| 66 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $70,840 | 8% below national |
| 67 | Madison, WI | $70,410 | 8% below national |
| 68 | Flagstaff, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $70,370 | 8% below national |
| 69 | Duluth, MN-WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $69,030 | 10% below national |
| 70 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,200 | 11% below national |
| 71 | Rapid City, SD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,100 | 11% below national |
| 72 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $67,970 | 11% below national |
| 73 | Albuquerque, NM Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,930 | 12% below national |
| 74 | Santa Fe, NM Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,870 | 12% below national |
| 75 | Casper, WY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,640 | 12% below national |
| 76 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,790 | 13% below national |
| 77 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,770 | 13% below national |
| 78 | Raleigh-Cary, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $65,870 | 14% below national |
| 79 | Tucson, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,330 | 16% below national |
| 80 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,520 | 17% below national |
| 81 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,370 | 17% below national |
| 82 | Knoxville, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,670 | 18% below national |
| 83 | Oklahoma City, OK Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,210 | 20% below national |
| 84 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,050 | 20% below national |
| 85 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $58,260 | 24% below national |
| 86 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $57,240 | 25% below national |
| 87 | Gainesville, FL | $55,790 | 27% below national |
| 88 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $55,050 | 28% below national |
| 89 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $54,750 | 29% below national |
| 90 | Lincoln, NE Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $54,530 | 29% below national |
| 91 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $53,230 | 31% below national |
| 92 | Tallahassee, FL | $52,060 | 32% below national |
| 93 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,000 | 35% below national |
| 94 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,920 | 35% below national |
| 95 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $49,100 | 36% below national |
| 96 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $48,130 | 37% below national |
| 97 | Jacksonville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,110 | 37% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.4% under 100 workers against 2.1% at 100 or more (May 2025 metro estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 19 (Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Agricultural Technicians
SOC 19-4012
Animal Scientists
SOC 19-1011
Anthropologists and Archeologists
SOC 19-3091
Astronomers
SOC 19-2011
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
SOC 19-2021
Showing 5 of 47 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($76,780 here) and reported employment (18,120 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What to do with this data
How to use Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $96,100/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Maryland leads at $107,500/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.