Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
In Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $82,200 at the median, or about $39.52 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $124K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $75,921 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 56.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $82K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $124K or more, a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $97K | +33% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $89K | +22% | 320 |
| Mississippi | $87K | +19% | 120 |
| Louisiana | $86K | +18% | 50 |
| Oregon | $85K | +17% | 970 |
| Alaska | $85K | +16% | 690 |
| California | $83K | +13% | 1,580 |
| Maryland | $83K | +13% | 270 |
| North Dakota | $82K | +13% | 100 |
| Washington | $82K | +13% | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $81K | +11% | 100 |
| Michigan | $79K | +8% | 320 |
| Illinois | $79K | +8% | 160 |
| New Jersey | $77K | +6% | 90 |
| Missouri | $77K | +6% | 150 |
| Vermont | $75K | +3% | 70 |
| Ohio | $75K | +3% | 310 |
| Hawaii | $74K | +2% | 200 |
| Wyoming | $74K | +2% | 400 |
| West Virginia | $74K | +1% | 100 |
| Idaho | $73K | -0% | 310 |
| Connecticut | $72K | -1% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $72K | -2% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | -3% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $71K | -3% | 490 |
| Arizona | $70K | -3% | 410 |
| Utah | $70K | -4% | 350 |
| New Hampshire | $69K | -5% | 90 |
| Maine | $67K | -8% | 280 |
| Virginia | $67K | -9% | 370 |
| New Mexico | $66K | -9% | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $66K | -9% | 400 |
| Alabama | $65K | -11% | 310 |
| Montana | $64K | -12% | 370 |
| Georgia | $64K | -13% | 200 |
| Kansas | $63K | -13% | 160 |
| South Dakota | $62K | -15% | 200 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -15% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $61K | -16% | 230 |
| Nevada | $61K | -17% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $60K | -18% | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $57K | -21% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $57K | -22% | 150 |
| Nebraska | $55K | -24% | 160 |
| Indiana | $53K | -27% | 130 |
| Florida | $51K | -29% | 1,210 |
| Texas | $51K | -31% | 550 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $82,200 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,840, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $123,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,175/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 56.8% 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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $75,921 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.