Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
SOC 19-1023 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists is $70,600, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $75,740, and an estimated 17,100 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +6.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -9.6% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 1.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $70,600 | $70,600 | 17,100 |
| 2022 | $67,430 | $70,206 | 17,410 |
| 2021 | $64,650 | $72,698 | 15,930 |
| 2020 | $66,350 | $78,115 | 17,200 |
Nominal change
+6.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-9.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+1.6%
About average
Employment 2024
18,200
Projected 2034
18,500
Annual Openings
1,400
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $70,600. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $94,290 | +33.6% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $86,590 | +22.6% | 470 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $85,970 | +21.8% | 390 |
| California | $84,300 | +19.4% | 1,620 |
| Alaska | $84,010 | +19% | 680 |
| Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $81,970 | +16.1% | 30 |
| Louisiana | $81,760 | +15.8% | 50 |
| Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $80,620 | +14.2% | 50 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $79,960 | +13.3% | 200 |
| North Dakota | $79,580 | +12.7% | 90 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$45,840
25th Pct
$57,120
Median
$70,600
75th Pct
$88,190
90th Pct
$110,590
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Network | CO | 1 | $93,150 |
| University of Wisconsin System | WI | 1 | $54,840 |
| Oregon State University | WA | 1 | $63,852 |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | CA | 1 | $84,300 |
| University of Alaska | AK | 1 | $112,882 |
| Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries | LA | 1 | $60,278 |
| State University of New York at Stony Brook | NY | 1 | $70,000 |
| The College of William and Mary | VA | 1 | $62,565 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | SC | 1 | $54,480 |
| EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. F/K/A Wildlife Trust Incorporated | NY | 1 | $115,000 |
| Cornell University | NY | 1 | $83,200 |
| Boston College | MA | 1 | $46,613 |
| The Rockefeller University | NY | 1 | $72,625 |
| New England Aquarium | MA | 1 | $101,788 |
| Research Foundation for the State University of New York | NY | 1 | $68,500 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Life, Physical & Social Science
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Life, Physical & Social Science occupations →