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BLSSalary

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary (2025)

Based on 18,120 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025

Official BLS Data
Annual Mean
$83,020
$39.91/hr
Annual Median
$76,780
$36.91/hr
Bottom 10%
$49,100
$23.61/hr
Top 10%
$126,440
$60.79/hr

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$49,100
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$61,180
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$76,780
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$96,100
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$126,440

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$49K

25th

$61K

Median

$77K

75th

$96K

90th

$126K

Highest Paying States for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025

StateAnnual Mean
District of Columbia$117,980
California$111,800
Maryland$104,320
Mississippi$93,740
Hawaii$92,250
New Jersey$92,150
Washington$91,970
Alaska$91,560
Massachusetts$90,780
Louisiana$89,860

Geographic Salary Variation

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $117,980 per year, while Louisiana has an average of $89,860 — a difference of $28,120. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.

About Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18,120 workers were employed as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. The annual mean wage of $83,020 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 19-1023

What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($49,100) represents entry-level or part-time Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss, while the 90th percentile ($126,440) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($76,780) is the midpoint — half of all Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
Data sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025. Public domain. Not affiliated with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.