How much do zoologists make?

Zoologists and wildlife biologists earn a median of approximately $68,000 per year according to BLS data. Entry-level positions start at $40,000–$52,000, while senior government scientists with PhDs earn $90,000–$130,000.

Is zoology a good career for income?

Zoology offers moderate income relative to other biology fields. It is competitive and often requires a graduate degree for well-paying positions. Federal government and certain private sector roles (wildlife consulting, conservation tech) offer the strongest income opportunities.

What degree do you need to be a zoologist?

A bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, or ecology can lead to entry-level technician roles. A master's degree is typically required for independent research and management positions. A PhD is required for faculty positions, senior research scientist roles, and certain federal positions.

What is the difference between a zoologist and a wildlife biologist?

Zoologists study animals broadly — their biology, behavior, and interactions with ecosystems. Wildlife biologists focus specifically on wild animal populations, habitat management, and conservation — often in applied government or land management contexts. In BLS data, both are classified together.

Do zoos and aquariums hire zoologists?

Yes, though competition is intense. Zookeeper positions start at $30,000–$40,000. Senior curator or research scientist roles at major institutions (San Diego Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo) may earn $65,000–$100,000. Most require extensive experience or graduate degrees.

Zoologist Salary 2026: What Wildlife Biologists and Zoologists Earn

Zoologists study animal biology, behavior, and ecosystems — a field that spans laboratory research, field work, government wildlife management, and conservation. The BLS median of $68,000 reflects a broad range of settings and roles.

Zoologist Salary by Career Level

Career Level	Degree	Median Salary	Range
Wildlife Technician / Research Aide	Bachelor’s	$42,000	$32,000–$52,000
Wildlife Biologist / Zoologist I	Bachelor’s/Master’s	$60,000	$46,000–$75,000
Senior Biologist	Master’s/PhD	$78,000	$62,000–$100,000
Research Scientist / Lead	PhD	$98,000	$78,000–$130,000
Curator (Zoo/Aquarium)	Master’s/PhD	$75,000	$58,000–$105,000
University Professor	PhD	$85,000	$60,000–$140,000+

Zoologist Salary by Employer

Employer Type	Median Salary	Notes
Federal Government (USFWS, BLM, NPS)	$84,000	GS pay scale; competitive benefits
State Wildlife Agency	$60,000	Fish & wildlife departments
University / Academia	$72,000	Includes faculty and research staff
Zoo / Aquarium	$50,000	High competition; curator roles higher
Environmental Consulting	$65,000	Private-sector biology work
Conservation NGO	$50,000	Below-market pay for mission-driven work
Military / DoD (habitat/wildlife)	$75,000	Base natural resource management

Zoologist Salary by State

State	Median Salary	Notes
California	$82,000	High COL; strong research sector
Virginia	$86,000	USFWS HQ area; strong federal market
Maryland	$80,000	USGS, Smithsonian, NIH-adjacent research
Washington DC	$90,000	Federal premium
Alaska	$78,000	High fieldwork demand; remote premium
Montana / Wyoming	$62,000	State agencies; lower COL
Florida	$65,000	Strong wildlife diversity; state FWC

Federal GS Pay for Wildlife Biologists

Wildlife biologists at US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service are typically hired at GS-7 through GS-13:

GS Grade	Annual Base	Entry Requirement
GS-7	$49,960	Bachelor’s + high GPA or internship
GS-9	$62,107	Master’s or equivalent experience
GS-11	$75,200	PhD or senior master’s + experience
GS-12	$90,168	Senior biologist / program lead
GS-13	$107,233	Lead scientist / branch chief

Locality pay adds 15–30%+ in high-cost cities.

Zoology Career Specializations and Income Impact

Specialization	Income Impact	Example Roles
Herpetology	Neutral	State agencies, zoos, academia
Ornithology	Neutral	Migratory bird programs; consulting
Marine Mammals	+5–10%	NOAA, Marine Mammal Center
Conservation Genetics	+10–20%	Growing biotech and conservation intersection
Wildlife Toxicology	+15–25%	EPA, environmental litigation support
GIS / Remote Sensing	+10–20%	Technical specialist premium

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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