Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 19-1023As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the United States is $76,780 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 18,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,100 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $61,180 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $76,780 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $96,100 | Experienced |
| 90th | $126,440 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 | $104,320 | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | $117,980 | 140 |
| California | $98,530 | $111,800 | 2,000 |
| Alaska | $90,370 | $91,560 | 650 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | $93,740 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | $89,860 | 50 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | $85,550 | 1,000 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | $92,250 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | $90,780 | 470 |
| Washington | $83,780 | $91,970 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $83,300 | $86,710 | 730 |
| New Jersey | $83,030 | $92,150 | 90 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | $80,120 | 90 |
| New York | $82,640 | $85,340 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $81,330 | $79,930 | 100 |
| Illinois | $79,780 | $82,210 | 250 |
| Vermont | $79,620 | $82,320 | 70 |
| Michigan | $79,150 | $79,570 | 330 |
| Montana | $78,850 | $78,740 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,540 | $78,660 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $77,300 | $84,390 | 110 |
| Missouri | $76,400 | $83,160 | 120 |
| Nevada | $75,180 | $79,540 | 190 |
| Ohio | $74,550 | $75,890 | 220 |
| Maine | $74,490 | $76,560 | 330 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | $74,110 | 290 |
| Wyoming | $74,150 | $74,710 | 320 |
| Utah | $73,920 | $73,730 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $73,570 | $75,360 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $73,560 | $77,110 | 40 |
| Idaho | $73,360 | $75,200 | 380 |
| Virginia | $72,340 | $76,780 | 290 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 | $71,910 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $68,370 | $70,880 | 360 |
| New Mexico | $68,220 | $73,400 | 170 |
| Arizona | $66,880 | $71,270 | 410 |
| Kansas | $66,440 | $67,750 | 160 |
| Georgia | $66,210 | $73,880 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $65,890 | $69,120 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $64,620 | $75,060 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $64,090 | $70,430 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $62,730 | $64,660 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $61,950 | $64,970 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $57,890 | $60,530 | 140 |
| Puerto Rico | $57,110 | $61,040 | — |
| Indiana | $54,670 | $58,170 | 120 |
| Florida | $52,750 | $61,260 | 1,000 |
| Texas | $49,100 | $64,620 | 580 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a zoologists and wildlife biologists in the US?
The US national median wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $76,780 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the US?
Pay ranges from $49,100 at the 10th percentile to $126,440 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay zoologists and wildlife biologists the most?
The highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists include Maryland ($107,500), District of Columbia ($107,050), California ($98,530). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does zoologists and wildlife biologists salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Maryland ($107,500) pays roughly 119% more than Texas ($49,100). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02