Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Arizona, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $66,880 at the median, or about $32.15 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $69,370 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,437/month, about 32.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $67K get you in Arizona?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Arizona
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Arizona runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,437/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Arizona
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $70K | +5% | 70 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $68K | +2% | 180 |
| Tucson | $64K | -4% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 32.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,904/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is zoologists and wildlife biologist a high-paying job in Arizona?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $67K here vs. $77K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Arizona pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Arizona?
The median is $66,880 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,400, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,480/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 32.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a zoologists and wildlife biologists salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $69,370 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do zoologists and wildlife biologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.