Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 48 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in All 50 States
Compare Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $97,050 | $97,070 | $71,430 | $115,770 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $88,550 | $98,390 | $64,060 | $151,470 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $87,050 | $94,330 | $52,140 | $146,620 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $85,840 | $87,260 | $61,950 | $117,190 | 50 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | $84,550 | $54,020 | $113,030 | 970 |
| Alaska | $84,640 | $86,060 | $55,660 | $119,590 | 690 |
| California | $82,620 | $91,460 | $51,010 | $136,970 | 1,580 |
| Maryland | $82,600 | $95,790 | $57,660 | $162,160 | 270 |
| North Dakota | $82,150 | $80,440 | $56,820 | $102,340 | 100 |
| Washington | $82,050 | $90,370 | $59,950 | $127,300 | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $80,590 | $82,770 | $62,550 | $96,350 | 100 |
| Michigan | $79,020 | $79,550 | $52,430 | $106,310 | 320 |
| Illinois | $78,620 | $80,240 | $48,680 | $108,120 | 160 |
| Missouri | $77,380 | $82,200 | $55,070 | $110,140 | 150 |
| New Jersey | $77,380 | $86,480 | $57,410 | $122,570 | 90 |
| Colorado | $77,320 | $82,340 | $56,020 | $114,790 | 780 |
| Vermont | $75,370 | $77,050 | $58,760 | $94,310 | 70 |
| Ohio | $75,030 | $74,870 | $45,800 | $97,520 | 310 |
| Hawaii | $74,110 | $84,060 | $63,000 | $114,520 | 200 |
| Wyoming | $74,060 | $70,200 | $48,900 | $88,800 | 400 |
| West Virginia | $73,780 | $75,380 | $54,200 | $109,120 | 100 |
| Idaho | $72,760 | $74,970 | $55,540 | $94,950 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $72,030 | $76,850 | $48,210 | $107,550 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $71,690 | $73,040 | $61,430 | $94,310 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,550 | $72,360 | $48,580 | $100,420 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $70,510 | $72,870 | $49,810 | $91,890 | 490 |
| Arizona | $70,370 | $73,840 | $49,500 | $101,440 | 410 |
| Utah | $69,990 | $70,090 | $48,780 | $94,310 | 350 |
| New Hampshire | $69,430 | $69,960 | $45,930 | $89,950 | 90 |
| Maine | $66,910 | $72,160 | $47,390 | $106,820 | 280 |
| Virginia | $66,550 | $71,720 | $47,810 | $102,860 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $66,480 | $71,990 | $49,000 | $95,310 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $65,960 | $68,840 | $42,100 | $93,070 | 400 |
| Alabama | $64,860 | $66,520 | $44,810 | $91,260 | 310 |
| Montana | $64,060 | $75,210 | $50,230 | $94,310 | 370 |
| Georgia | $63,530 | $70,690 | $50,060 | $102,490 | 200 |
| Kansas | $63,270 | $64,560 | $52,250 | $73,630 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $62,200 | $65,880 | $51,810 | $81,080 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $61,930 | $69,550 | $49,120 | $108,140 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $61,490 | $65,600 | $46,990 | $87,050 | 230 |
| Nevada | $60,650 | $64,230 | $47,610 | $91,890 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $59,950 | $65,370 | $39,120 | $99,330 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $57,400 | $60,150 | $47,190 | $82,220 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $56,700 | $60,010 | $43,450 | $77,380 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $55,080 | $59,920 | $47,660 | $82,570 | 160 |
| Indiana | $53,190 | $56,540 | $44,180 | $72,590 | 130 |
| Florida | $51,420 | $59,600 | $40,000 | $92,180 | 1,210 |
| Texas | $50,610 | $62,310 | $37,700 | $91,500 | 550 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary FAQs
Which state pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss the most?
Rhode Island pays the highest median salary for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss at $97,050 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Rhode Island ($97,050), Massachusetts ($88,550), Mississippi ($87,050), Louisiana ($85,840), Oregon ($85,150).
What is the average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary nationally?
The average median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary across all 48 states is $71,248 per year. The salary ranges from $50,610 in Texas to $97,050 in Rhode Island — a difference of $46,440.
Which state pays Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss the least?
Texas has the lowest median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary at $50,610 per year. However, cost of living in Texas may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.