Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023) earn a median $76,780 a year ($36.91 an hour) in the United States, with 18,120 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Maryland.
What zoologists and wildlife biologists do
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and wildlife, including their origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes. Typical tasks include studying animals in their natural habitats and assessing how the environment and industry affect them, counting or estimating wildlife populations, and developing or recommending management plans for those populations. They also collect and analyze biological data to judge the environmental effects of present and possible uses of land and water, and they answer questions from the public about wildlife and conservation, for example on plant identification. The occupation differs from animal scientists, who work with domestic farm animals, from veterinarians, who treat sick animals, and from conservation scientists and foresters, who manage land and plant resources. They also check for compliance with environmental laws and notify law enforcement of violations, and some take on administrative duties such as fundraising, public relations, and budgeting.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a bachelor's degree.
Also called: Conservation Biologist, Aquatic Biologist, Animal Behaviorist, Animal Biologist, Behaviorist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $23.61 | $29.41 | $36.91 | $46.20 | $60.79 | $39.91 | 18,120 |
| Annual | $49,100 | $61,180 | $76,780 | $96,100 | $126,440 | $83,020 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where zoologists and wildlife biologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $30.32 | $35.64 | $51.68 | $55.22 | $75.36 | $50.15 | 250 | 0.09 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $63,060 | $74,130 | $107,500 | $114,860 | $156,750 | $104,320 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $40.96 | $40.96 | $51.46 | $67.63 | $77.63 | $56.72 | 140 | 0.20 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $85,190 | $85,200 | $107,050 | $140,670 | $161,470 | $117,980 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $28.07 | $36.18 | $47.37 | $80.85 | $85.46 | $53.75 | 2,210 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $58,380 | $75,250 | $98,530 | $168,170 | $177,760 | $111,800 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $28.50 | $34.32 | $43.45 | $51.38 | $61.02 | $44.02 | 650 | 2.00 | 17.18 |
| Annual | $59,280 | $71,390 | $90,370 | $106,870 | $126,920 | $91,560 | ||||
| Mississippi | Hourly | $25.29 | $30.30 | $42.65 | $55.39 | $67.85 | $45.07 | 110 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| Annual | $52,610 | $63,030 | $88,710 | $115,210 | $141,130 | $93,740 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $28.07 | $36.18 | $47.37 | $80.85 | $85.46 | $53.75 | 2,210 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $58,380 | $75,250 | $98,530 | $168,170 | $177,760 | $111,800 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $29.84 | $33.36 | $40.28 | $50.36 | $62.43 | $44.22 | 1,840 | 0.52 | 4.44 |
| Annual | $62,070 | $69,380 | $83,780 | $104,750 | $129,850 | $91,970 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $19.18 | $21.97 | $25.36 | $31.33 | $46.95 | $29.45 | 1,400 | 0.14 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $39,900 | $45,690 | $52,750 | $65,170 | $97,660 | $61,260 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $26.27 | $32.77 | $40.94 | $47.17 | $54.50 | $41.13 | 1,010 | 0.51 | 4.41 |
| Annual | $54,640 | $68,160 | $85,150 | $98,110 | $113,350 | $85,550 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $29.13 | $33.47 | $40.05 | $48.00 | $55.96 | $41.69 | 730 | 0.26 | 2.18 |
| Annual | $60,590 | $69,620 | $83,300 | $99,850 | $116,390 | $86,710 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $21.66 | $37.51 | $62.47 | $62.56 | $75.56 | $51.56 | 40 | 0.04 | 0.31 |
| Annual | $45,060 | $78,020 | $129,940 | $130,120 | $157,160 | $107,240 | ||||
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | Hourly | $36.30 | $44.46 | $58.74 | $69.24 | $91.26 | $58.97 | 30 | 0.33 | 2.79 |
| Annual | $75,500 | $92,470 | $122,170 | $144,020 | $189,820 | $122,660 | ||||
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | Hourly | $18.35 | $28.61 | $54.71 | $65.11 | $77.83 | $48.98 | 30 | 0.19 | 1.63 |
| Annual | $38,170 | $59,520 | $113,800 | $135,430 | $161,890 | $101,870 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $36.01 | $40.96 | $50.16 | $68.50 | $88.48 | $55.45 | 270 | 0.09 | 0.73 |
| Annual | $74,890 | $85,190 | $104,330 | $142,480 | $184,040 | $115,330 | ||||
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Hourly | $30.16 | $34.97 | $47.83 | $55.22 | $57.97 | $46.71 | 100 | 0.08 | 0.65 |
| Annual | $62,740 | $72,730 | $99,490 | $114,860 | $120,580 | $97,160 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $31.18 | $37.16 | $46.37 | $62.25 | $80.42 | $50.55 | 720 | 0.34 | 2.95 |
| Annual | $64,860 | $77,290 | $96,450 | $129,480 | $167,270 | $105,140 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $29.90 | $33.76 | $43.21 | $51.66 | $59.68 | $44.09 | 350 | 0.29 | 2.50 |
| Annual | $62,190 | $70,220 | $89,880 | $107,450 | $124,130 | $91,700 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | $21.94 | $21.94 | $29.35 | $36.71 | $48.66 | $31.88 | 310 | 0.16 | 1.36 |
| Annual | $45,630 | $45,630 | $61,050 | $76,360 | $101,210 | $66,300 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $29.97 | $36.95 | $47.71 | $63.19 | $69.31 | $50.53 | 300 | 0.13 | 1.08 |
| Annual | $62,330 | $76,860 | $99,230 | $131,440 | $144,160 | $105,110 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | $18.76 | $20.83 | $26.47 | $32.31 | $47.53 | $29.61 | 300 | 0.21 | 1.78 |
| Annual | $39,020 | $43,330 | $55,050 | $67,200 | $98,860 | $61,590 | ||||
Top industries employing zoologists and wildlife biologists
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 40.7% of zoologists and wildlife biologists nationally (7,370 jobs) at a median $70,420 a year ($33.85 an hour), followed by Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) (19.5%) and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (11.1%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 7,370 | 40.7% | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 3,540 | 19.5% | $93,810 | $45.10 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services NAICS 541600 | 2,010 | 11.1% | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations NAICS 813300 | 1,250 | 6.9% | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 1,050 | 5.8% | $80,980 | $38.93 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (18,120). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $64,650 for zoologists and wildlife biologists in May 2021 and $76,780 in May 2025, with employment of 15,930 and 18,120.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $64,650 | $31.08 | 15,930 |
| May 2022 | $67,430 | $32.42 | 17,410 |
| May 2023 | $70,600 | $33.94 | 17,100 |
| May 2024 | $72,860 | $35.03 | 16,920 |
| May 2025 | $76,780 | $36.91 | 18,120 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
47 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland profile | $51.68 | $107,500 | $63,060 | $156,750 | 250 | 0.09 | 0.79 |
| 2 | District of Columbia profile | $51.46 | $107,050 | $85,190 | $161,470 | 140 | 0.20 | 1.74 |
| 3 | California profile | $47.37 | $98,530 | $58,380 | $177,760 | 2,210 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| 4 | Alaska profile | $43.45 | $90,370 | $59,280 | $126,920 | 650 | 2.00 | 17.18 |
| 5 | Mississippi profile | $42.65 | $88,710 | $52,610 | $141,130 | 110 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| 6 | Louisiana profile | $42.05 | $87,460 | $65,400 | $119,430 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.21 |
| 7 | Oregon profile | $40.94 | $85,150 | $54,640 | $113,350 | 1,010 | 0.51 | 4.41 |
| 8 | Hawaii profile | $40.82 | $84,910 | $65,650 | $125,630 | 170 | 0.27 | 2.28 |
| 9 | Massachusetts profile | $40.55 | $84,350 | $45,310 | $138,940 | 470 | 0.13 | 1.12 |
| 10 | Washington profile | $40.28 | $83,780 | $62,070 | $129,850 | 1,840 | 0.52 | 4.44 |
| 11 | Colorado profile | $40.05 | $83,300 | $60,590 | $116,390 | 730 | 0.26 | 2.18 |
| 12 | New Jersey profile | $39.92 | $83,030 | $59,420 | $128,790 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.19 |
| 13 | Iowa profile | $39.91 | $83,000 | $59,850 | $90,420 | 90 | 0.06 | 0.52 |
| 14 | New York profile | $39.73 | $82,640 | $58,240 | $117,860 | 370 | 0.04 | 0.33 |
| 15 | North Dakota profile | $39.10 | $81,330 | $55,700 | $103,500 | 100 | 0.24 | 2.09 |
| 16 | Illinois profile | $38.36 | $79,780 | $55,690 | $112,900 | 250 | 0.04 | 0.35 |
| 17 | Vermont profile | $38.28 | $79,620 | $65,690 | $98,340 | 70 | 0.23 | 2.00 |
| 18 | Michigan profile | $38.05 | $79,150 | $58,720 | $104,250 | 330 | 0.08 | 0.65 |
| 19 | Montana profile | $37.91 | $78,850 | $62,540 | $96,100 | 430 | 0.84 | 7.24 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania profile | $37.76 | $78,540 | $48,060 | $113,920 | 200 | 0.03 | 0.28 |
| 21 | Connecticut profile | $37.16 | $77,300 | $50,440 | $118,110 | 110 | 0.06 | 0.53 |
| 22 | Missouri profile | $36.73 | $76,400 | $57,620 | $108,080 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.35 |
| 23 | Nevada profile | $36.14 | $75,180 | $49,600 | $119,090 | 190 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| 24 | Ohio profile | $35.84 | $74,550 | $45,700 | $108,930 | 220 | 0.04 | 0.34 |
| 25 | Maine profile | $35.81 | $74,490 | $51,690 | $97,680 | 330 | 0.52 | 4.48 |
| 26 | Alabama profile | $35.71 | $74,290 | $47,120 | $99,600 | 290 | 0.14 | 1.17 |
| 27 | Wyoming profile | $35.65 | $74,150 | $56,420 | $90,920 | 320 | 1.15 | 9.90 |
| 28 | Utah profile | $35.54 | $73,920 | $51,060 | $96,100 | 370 | 0.21 | 1.82 |
| 29 | Tennessee profile | $35.37 | $73,570 | $50,840 | $99,330 | 310 | 0.09 | 0.81 |
| 30 | New Hampshire profile | $35.37 | $73,560 | $48,660 | $108,850 | 40 | 0.06 | 0.52 |
| 31 | Idaho profile | $35.27 | $73,360 | $49,840 | $96,100 | 380 | 0.45 | 3.83 |
| 32 | Virginia profile | $34.78 | $72,340 | $49,960 | $104,920 | 290 | 0.07 | 0.61 |
| 33 | Minnesota profile | $32.99 | $68,620 | $45,630 | $101,210 | 720 | 0.24 | 2.10 |
| 34 | Wisconsin profile | $32.87 | $68,370 | $42,950 | $91,170 | 360 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| 35 | New Mexico profile | $32.80 | $68,220 | $51,080 | $96,100 | 170 | 0.19 | 1.63 |
| 36 | Arizona profile | $32.15 | $66,880 | $48,400 | $96,100 | 410 | 0.13 | 1.07 |
| 37 | Kansas profile | $31.94 | $66,440 | $54,850 | $77,290 | 160 | 0.11 | 0.95 |
| 38 | Georgia profile | $31.83 | $66,210 | $54,970 | $115,150 | 200 | 0.04 | 0.35 |
| 39 | South Dakota profile | $31.68 | $65,890 | $53,410 | $87,640 | 170 | 0.38 | 3.24 |
| 40 | North Carolina profile | $31.07 | $64,620 | $48,370 | $122,120 | 350 | 0.07 | 0.60 |
| 41 | South Carolina profile | $30.81 | $64,090 | $46,740 | $111,830 | 250 | 0.11 | 0.91 |
| 42 | Oklahoma profile | $30.16 | $62,730 | $48,650 | $88,610 | 120 | 0.07 | 0.62 |
| 43 | Kentucky profile | $29.79 | $61,950 | $46,960 | $83,040 | 150 | 0.08 | 0.64 |
| 44 | Nebraska profile | $27.83 | $57,890 | $45,350 | $83,350 | 140 | 0.14 | 1.19 |
| 45 | Indiana profile | $26.28 | $54,670 | $44,180 | $76,900 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.33 |
| 46 | Florida profile | $25.36 | $52,750 | $39,900 | $97,660 | 1,400 | 0.14 | 1.21 |
| 47 | Texas profile | $23.61 | $49,100 | $39,800 | $106,020 | 580 | 0.04 | 0.35 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (19-1020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 19-1023 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 19-1023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 19-1023.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.