Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,380
- 25th Percentile — Junior$75,250
- 50th Percentile — Median$98,530
- 75th Percentile — Senior$168,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$177,760
Half of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California earn more than $98,530. The top 10% make $177,760 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,380.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 47 states for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay, at $111,800 per year (34.7% above the U.S. average of $83,020).
- 2,210 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California — 12.2% of all U.S. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.04: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,380; the top 10% earn over $177,760.
- Hourly equivalent: $53.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $117,980.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists here earn $111,800 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $111,800 is roughly equivalent to $78,732 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($117,980), Maryland ($104,320), Mississippi ($93,740) are the closest alternatives for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +80.6% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +69.5% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +32.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +25.3% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +19.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +13.9% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +10.1% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +10.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in California?
The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in California is $111,800 per year (median $98,530), which is 34.7% above the national average of $83,020.
How does California rank for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 47 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($117,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California earn about $58,380 per year and the 25th percentile is $75,250.
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make per hour in California?
About $53.75 per hour, based on the $111,800 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists work in California?
BLS counts 2,210 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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