Statisticians
Median wage · national
$105,650
Range: $82K – $141K
Employed
29K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: master's degree
HEALTH
Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist
Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist earn $76,780 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $61,180 and $96,100. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
- Median Wage
- $76,780
- Employed Nationally
- 18K
- Openings / Year
- 1,400
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Animal Behaviorist
Animal Biologist
Aquatic Biologist
Behaviorist
Conservation Biologist
How Much Do Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists Make?
Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist earn $76,780 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,180 and $96,100. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$76,780
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$61K–$96K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$61,180
Entry-level
$76,780
Median
$96,100
Experienced
What Do Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists?
The BLS projects +1.6% employment change for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 1,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +1.6%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
1,400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
18K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $76,780 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 1,800 | $82,050 | +6.9% |
| 2 | California | 1,580 | $82,620 | +7.6% |
| 3 | Florida | 1,210 | $51,420 | -33.0% |
| 4 | Oregon | 970 | $85,150 | +10.9% |
| 5 | Colorado | 780 | $77,320 | +0.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecology | 9,123 | $48,842 | 352 |
| 2 | Zoology | 3,246 | $44,055 | 118 |
| 3 | Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,389 | $45,338 | 96 |
| 4 | Marine Sciences | 436 | $52,667 | 40 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist Pros & Cons
The data on Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $76,780 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +1.6% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $76,780 median while building the experience employers require.
Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist is $76,780, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,180 and $96,100. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $76,780 median, though slow job growth means most openings come from workers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Ecology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $76,780 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist?
The BLS projects +1.6% employment change for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 1,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 18K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist roles: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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