Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary by State
The national median pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $76,780 a year. By state, it ranges from $49,100 in Texas to $107,500 in Maryland.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $49,100
- 25th percentile
- $61,180
- Median
- $76,780
- 75th percentile
- $96,100
- Top 10%
- $126,440
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 18,120 jobs.
Median pay in 46 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $107,500 | +40% | $63,060 | $156,750 | 250 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $107,050 | +39% | $85,190 | $161,470 | 140 |
| 3 | California | $98,530 | +28% | $58,380 | $177,760 | 2,210 |
| 4 | Alaska | $90,370 | +18% | $59,280 | $126,920 | 650 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $88,710 | +16% | $52,610 | $141,130 | 110 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $87,460 | +14% | $65,400 | $119,430 | 50 |
| 7 | Oregon | $85,150 | +11% | $54,640 | $113,350 | 1,010 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $84,910 | +11% | $65,650 | $125,630 | 170 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $84,350 | +10% | $45,310 | $138,940 | 470 |
| 10 | Washington | $83,780 | +9% | $62,070 | $129,850 | 1,840 |
| 11 | Colorado | $83,300 | +8% | $60,590 | $116,390 | 730 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $83,030 | +8% | $59,420 | $128,790 | 90 |
| 13 | Iowa | $83,000 | +8% | $59,850 | $90,420 | 90 |
| 14 | New York | $82,640 | +8% | $58,240 | $117,860 | 370 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $81,330 | +6% | $55,700 | $103,500 | 100 |
| 16 | Illinois | $79,780 | +4% | $55,690 | $112,900 | 250 |
| 17 | Vermont | $79,620 | +4% | $65,690 | $98,340 | 70 |
| 18 | Michigan | $79,150 | +3% | $58,720 | $104,250 | 330 |
| 19 | Montana | $78,850 | +3% | $62,540 | $96,100 | 430 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $78,540 | +2% | $48,060 | $113,920 | 200 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $77,300 | +1% | $50,440 | $118,110 | 110 |
| 22 | Missouri | $76,400 | 0% | $57,620 | $108,080 | 120 |
| 23 | Nevada | $75,180 | −2% | $49,600 | $119,090 | 190 |
| 24 | Ohio | $74,550 | −3% | $45,700 | $108,930 | 220 |
| 25 | Maine | $74,490 | −3% | $51,690 | $97,680 | 330 |
| 26 | Alabama | $74,290 | −3% | $47,120 | $99,600 | 290 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $74,150 | −3% | $56,420 | $90,920 | 320 |
| 28 | Utah | $73,920 | −4% | $51,060 | $96,100 | 370 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $73,570 | −4% | $50,840 | $99,330 | 310 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $73,560 | −4% | $48,660 | $108,850 | 40 |
| 31 | Idaho | $73,360 | −4% | $49,840 | $96,100 | 380 |
| 32 | Virginia | $72,340 | −6% | $49,960 | $104,920 | 290 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $68,620 | −11% | $45,630 | $101,210 | 720 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $68,370 | −11% | $42,950 | $91,170 | 360 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $68,220 | −11% | $51,080 | $96,100 | 170 |
| 36 | Arizona | $66,880 | −13% | $48,400 | $96,100 | 410 |
| 37 | Kansas | $66,440 | −13% | $54,850 | $77,290 | 160 |
| 38 | Georgia | $66,210 | −14% | $54,970 | $115,150 | 200 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $65,890 | −14% | $53,410 | $87,640 | 170 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $64,620 | −16% | $48,370 | $122,120 | 350 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $64,090 | −17% | $46,740 | $111,830 | 250 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $62,730 | −18% | $48,650 | $88,610 | 120 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $61,950 | −19% | $46,960 | $83,040 | 150 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $57,890 | −25% | $45,350 | $83,350 | 140 |
| 45 | Indiana | $54,670 | −29% | $44,180 | $76,900 | 120 |
| 46 | Florida | $52,750 | −31% | $39,900 | $97,660 | 1,400 |
| 47 | Texas | $49,100 | −36% | $39,800 | $106,020 | 580 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary questions
Which state pays zoologists and wildlife biologists the most?
Maryland, with a median of $107,500 a year (+40% vs. the national median of $76,780). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays zoologists and wildlife biologists the least?
Texas, with a median of $49,100 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most zoologists and wildlife biologists work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,210, with a median of $98,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.