Agriculture & Environment Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Zoologist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median zoologist salary in Cleveland, OH is $58,678 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$58,678
vs State Avg
$-2,729
vs National
$-9,552
Cost of Living
86%

Zoologist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median zoologist salary of $58,678, which is $2,729 below the Ohio state average of $61,407. Compared to the national median of $68,230, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $58,678 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $68,230 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for zoologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for zoologists in Cleveland spans from $36,120 at the 10th percentile to $96,320 at the 90th percentile — a $60,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,700, while senior zoologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $90,300. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Zoologist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level zoologist earns around $38,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $90,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,700
$-6,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,200
$-9,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$90,300
$-14,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $36,120
25th Percentile $46,440
Median (50th) $58,678
75th Percentile $77,400
90th Percentile $96,320

Zoologist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$64,819
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$61,407
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$57,313
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$55,949
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Zoologist in Cleveland

Education

Most zoologist positions require a bachelor's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wildlife BiologyField ResearchData AnalysisGISScientific WritingConservation

Job Outlook

Nationally, zoologist employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Zoologist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open zoologist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Zoologist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Zoologist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median zoologist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $58,678 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $68,230. Salaries range from $36,120 (10th percentile) to $96,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Zoologist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,678, a zoologist in Cleveland earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for zoologist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median zoologist salary of $58,678 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $61,407. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a zoologist salary of $58,678 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a zoologist in Cleveland? ▼
Most zoologist positions in Cleveland require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Wildlife Biology, Field Research, Data Analysis, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.