Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Make?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn a median annual salary of $72,860 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $48,240 at the 10th percentile to $113,350 at the 90th percentile — a range of $65,110. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $97,050.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,240 |
| 25th percentile | $58,360 |
| Median (50th) | $72,860 |
| 75th percentile | $90,590 |
| 90th percentile | $113,350 |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Islandtop | $97,050 |
| Massachusetts | $88,550 |
| Mississippi | $87,050 |
| Louisiana | $85,840 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Alaska | $84,640 |
| California | $82,620 |
| Maryland | $82,600 |
| North Dakota | $82,150 |
| Washington | $82,050 |
| Iowa | $80,590 |
| Michigan | $79,020 |
| Illinois | $78,620 |
| Missouri | $77,380 |
| New Jersey | $77,380 |
| Colorado | $77,320 |
| Vermont | $75,370 |
| Ohio | $75,030 |
| Hawaii | $74,110 |
| Wyoming | $74,060 |
| West Virginia | $73,780 |
| Idaho | $72,760 |
| Connecticut | $72,030 |
| Arkansas | $71,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,550 |
| Minnesota | $70,510 |
| Arizona | $70,370 |
| Utah | $69,990 |
| New Hampshire | $69,430 |
| Maine | $66,910 |
| Virginia | $66,550 |
| New Mexico | $66,480 |
| Wisconsin | $65,960 |
| Alabama | $64,860 |
| Montana | $64,060 |
| Georgia | $63,530 |
| Kansas | $63,270 |
| South Dakota | $62,200 |
| North Carolina | $61,930 |
| South Carolina | $61,490 |
| Nevada | $60,650 |
| Tennessee | $59,950 |
| Oklahoma | $57,400 |
| Kentucky | $56,700 |
| Nebraska | $55,080 |
| Indiana | $53,190 |
| Florida | $51,420 |
| Texas | $50,610 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$48,240 – $58,360 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,860 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$90,590 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $113,350+ |
How to Earn More as a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $121,890 — $49,030 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($90,590) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistthis career | $72,860 |
| Animal Scientist | $79,120 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $71,410 |
| Microbiologist | $87,330 |
| Biologist | $93,330 |
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SOC: 19-1023.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.