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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

110% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$49,960
$4,163/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$72,340
$6,028/mo
Senior (P90)
$104,920
$8,743/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$49,960
National: $53,538
-6.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$72,340
National: $75,715
-4.5%
Senior (P90)
$104,920
National: $109,694
-4.4%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Virginia spans from $49,960 at entry-level to $104,920 at senior level — a difference of $54,960 per year.

P10
$49K
P25
$59K
Median
$72K
P75
$90K
P90
$104K

Career Growth Premium: +110%

Senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss in Virginia earn $54,960 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$54,960
Monthly Difference
+$4,580
Hourly Difference
+$26.42
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary increases with experience in Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $49,960 $4,163 $24.02
Early Career P25 $59,440 $4,953 $28.58
Mid-Career Median $72,340 $6,028 $34.78
Experienced P75 $90,230 $7,519 $43.38
Senior / Expert P90 $104,920 $8,743 $50.44
Key Insight

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 110% growth from entry-level ($49,960) to senior ($104,920). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($72,340) and P90 ($104,920) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

Where does Virginia rank for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists senior-level salaries? Compare Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$177,760
Entry: $58K
+204%
2
$161,470
Entry: $85K
+90%
3
$156,750
Entry: $63K
+149%
4
$141,130
Entry: $52K
+168%
5
$138,940
Entry: $45K
+207%
6
$129,850
Entry: $62K
+109%
7
$128,790
Entry: $59K
+117%
8
$126,920
Entry: $59K
+114%
9
$125,630
Entry: $65K
+91%
10
$122,120
Entry: $48K
+152%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $49,960 per year, or $4,163 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $59,440. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make?

Senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $104,920 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $90,230. This represents a career premium of 110% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

The career salary growth potential for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is 110%. Entry-level professionals start at $49,960, while senior-level can earn up to $104,920 — a difference of $54,960 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $104,920 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries determined?

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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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia 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 Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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