Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in California? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
204% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • California salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California spans from $58,380 at entry-level to $177,760 at senior level — a difference of $119,380 per year.
Senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss in California earn $119,380 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary increases with experience in California, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $58,380 | $4,865 | $28.07 |
| Early Career | P25 | $75,250 | $6,271 | $36.18 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $98,530 | $8,211 | $47.37 |
| Experienced | P75 | $168,170 | $14,014 | $80.85 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $177,760 | $14,813 | $85.46 |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $58,380 to $177,760. This 204% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Where does California rank for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists senior-level salaries? Compare California's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $58,380 per year, or $4,865 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $75,250. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $177,760 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $168,170. This represents a career premium of 204% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is 204%. Entry-level professionals start at $58,380, while senior-level can earn up to $177,760 — a difference of $119,380 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $177,760 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for California from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within California.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS