Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Colorado, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $83,300 at the median, or about $40.05 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $83K get you in Colorado?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Colorado
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $84K | +1% | 30 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $84K | +1% | 140 |
| Boulder | $83K | +0% | 130 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $81K | -3% | 160 |
| Colorado Springs | $73K | -13% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $83K, rent takes 38.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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 Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,635/month.
Is zoologists and wildlife biologist a high-paying job in Colorado?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $83K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Colorado pays $83K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +8%.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Colorado?
The median is $83,300 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,590, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $116,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,277/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 38.7% 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 Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $83,300 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.