Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Florida, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $52,750 at the median, or about $25.36 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.58), that's roughly $53,510 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,658/month, about 45.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $53K get you in Florida?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Florida
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Florida runs about 31% below the U.S. median of $77K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,658/month, which is 44.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 98.58) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for zoologists and wildlife biologistss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Florida
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $68K | +29% | 50 |
| Naples-Marco Island | $57K | +9% | N/A |
| Gainesville | $56K | +6% | 110 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $55K | +4% | 300 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $55K | +4% | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $53K | +1% | 240 |
| Tallahassee | $52K | -1% | 110 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $50K | -5% | 40 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $50K | -5% | 40 |
| Jacksonville | $48K | -9% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Florida?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 44.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,658/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/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 Florida?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,394/month. At HUD’s $1,658/month FMR, rent would take 69% 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 Florida?
Local pay runs 31% below the national median — $53K here vs. $77K nationally.
How does Florida compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Florida pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -31%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.58), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Florida?
The median is $52,750 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,900, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $97,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,702/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 44.8% 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 Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 98.58 (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 $53,510 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.