Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
In Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $66,510 at the median, or about $31.98 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $68,166 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 38.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $67K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Durham-Chapel Hill’s Regional Price Parity (97.57). 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, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $58K 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
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $66,510 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,350, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $108,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,349/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month, which eats 39.3% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (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 $68,166 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.