Average base salary, Louisiana
$93,000 / year
≈ $7,750 per month · $44.71 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Louisiana · median $90,500
25th percentile
$76,500Average
$93,00075th percentile
$101,000
$76,500Average
$93,00075th percentile
$101,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by state
Alabama$76,500
Alaska$95,000
Arizona$74,000
California$115,500
Colorado$89,500
Connecticut$87,500
District of Columbia$122,000
Florida$63,500
Georgia$76,500
Hawaii$95,500
Idaho$78,000
Illinois$85,000
Indiana$60,000
Iowa$83,000
Kansas$70,000
Kentucky$67,000
Louisiana$93,000
Maine$79,000
Maryland$108,000
Massachusetts$94,000
Michigan$82,500
Minnesota$74,500
Mississippi$97,000
Missouri$86,000
Montana$81,500
Nebraska$62,500
Nevada$82,500
New Hampshire$80,000
New Jersey$95,500
New Mexico$76,000
New York$88,500
North Carolina$77,500
North Dakota$82,500
Ohio$78,500
Oklahoma$67,000
Oregon$88,500
Pennsylvania$81,500
South Carolina$73,000
South Dakota$71,500
Tennessee$78,000
Texas$67,000
Utah$76,500
Vermont$85,000
Virginia$79,500
Washington$95,000
Wisconsin$73,500
Wyoming$77,500
About this role
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- 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.
Top skills: Speaking Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Active Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay by experience level
Entry level$51,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$63,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$79,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$99,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$131,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,400
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
11,960 workers
$85,500State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
7,370 workers
$75,500Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
3,540 workers
$105,000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,890 workers
$106,500Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
2,010 workers
$108,500Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
1,530 workers
$64,000Social Advocacy Organizations
1,250 workers
$63,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,050 workers
$92,000Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
780 workers
$62,500Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
780 workers
$62,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pays 14% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Historian$84,000
Survey Researcher$82,500
Forensic Science Technician$82,000
Soil and Plant Scientists$91,000
Animal Scientist$91,500
Conservation Scientist$80,000
Urban and Regional Planners$98,000
Careers related to Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Biologist$110,000
Range Manager$80,000
Industrial Ecologist$95,000
Fish and Game Wardens$77,500
Soil and Plant Scientists$91,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make?
The average base salary for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the United States is $86,000 per year, or about $41.35 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $63,500 and $99,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
