Zoologist Salary
Zoologists study animals and their behaviors, habitats, and ecosystems to support conservation.
Zoologist Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level zoologists earn around $45,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $70,000. Senior-level zoologists can earn $105,000 or more.
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See Investment Options →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for zoologists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $42,000, while the top 10% earn $112,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $68,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 |
Zoologist Salary by State
Zoologist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $115,991, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $56,631.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $115,991 | Details → |
| #2 California | $94,157 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $92,111 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $84,605 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $83,241 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $78,465 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $78,465 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $76,418 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $75,053 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $75,053 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $71,642 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $71,642 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $71,642 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $70,959 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $68,912 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $68,912 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $66,865 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $66,865 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $66,183 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $66,183 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $66,183 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $66,183 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $65,501 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $64,819 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $64,819 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $64,136 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $63,454 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $63,454 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $62,772 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $62,772 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $62,772 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $62,772 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $62,089 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $61,407 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $61,407 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $61,407 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $61,407 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $61,407 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $60,725 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $60,725 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $60,725 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $60,042 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $60,042 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $59,360 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $59,360 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $59,360 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $58,678 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $57,313 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $57,313 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $56,631 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Zoologists who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $36,770 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Study animal behavior and ecology
- ● Conduct field research
- ● Manage conservation programs
- ● Analyze biological data
- ● Collaborate on wildlife policy
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade
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