Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$55,690
- 25th Percentile — Junior$61,220
- 50th Percentile — Median$79,780
- 75th Percentile — Senior$97,470
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$112,900
Half of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois earn more than $79,780. The top 10% make $112,900 or more, while entry-level workers start around $55,690.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 17th of 47 states for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay, at $82,210 per year (1.0% below the U.S. average of $83,020).
- 250 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois — 1.4% of all U.S. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.35: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $55,690; the top 10% earn over $112,900.
- Hourly equivalent: $39.52 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $117,980.
- Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists here earn $82,210 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $82,210 is roughly equivalent to $78,295 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($85,340), Connecticut ($84,390), Missouri ($83,160) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $147,860/yr Illinois +79.9% vs this role
- Sociologists $143,940/yr Illinois +75.1% vs this role
- Physicists $139,780/yr Illinois +70.0% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $129,980/yr Illinois +58.1% vs this role
- Geoscientists $109,290/yr Illinois +32.9% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $103,030/yr Illinois +25.3% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $102,640/yr Illinois +24.9% vs this role
- Chemists $98,420/yr Illinois +19.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Illinois?
The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Illinois is $82,210 per year (median $79,780), which is 1.0% below the national average of $83,020.
How does Illinois rank for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay?
Illinois ranks 17th 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 Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois earn about $55,690 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,220.
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make per hour in Illinois?
About $39.52 per hour, based on the $82,210 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists work in Illinois?
BLS counts 250 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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