Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $84,240 at the median, or about $40.5 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers.
So what does $84K get you in Fort Collins-Loveland?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in metros near Fort Collins-Loveland, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $81K | , |
| Boulder | $83K | , |
| Colorado Springs | $73K | , |
| Grand Junction | $84K | , |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $108K | +40% | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $107K | +39% | 140 |
| California | $99K | +28% | 2,210 |
| Alaska | $90K | +18% | 650 |
| Mississippi | $89K | +16% | 110 |
| Louisiana | $87K | +14% | 50 |
| Oregon | $85K | +11% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $85K | +11% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +10% | 470 |
| Washington | $84K | +9% | 1,840 |
| Colorado | $83K | +8% | 730 |
| New Jersey | $83K | +8% | 90 |
| Iowa | $83K | +8% | 90 |
| New York | $83K | +8% | 370 |
| North Dakota | $81K | +6% | 100 |
| Illinois | $80K | +4% | 250 |
| Vermont | $80K | +4% | 70 |
| Michigan | $79K | +3% | 330 |
| Montana | $79K | +3% | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $79K | +2% | 200 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +1% | 110 |
| Missouri | $76K | -0% | 120 |
| Nevada | $75K | -2% | 190 |
| Ohio | $75K | -3% | 220 |
| Maine | $74K | -3% | 330 |
| Alabama | $74K | -3% | 290 |
| Wyoming | $74K | -3% | 320 |
| Utah | $74K | -4% | 370 |
| Tennessee | $74K | -4% | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $74K | -4% | 40 |
| Idaho | $73K | -4% | 380 |
| Virginia | $72K | -6% | 290 |
| Minnesota | $69K | -11% | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $68K | -11% | 360 |
| New Mexico | $68K | -11% | 170 |
| Arizona | $67K | -13% | 410 |
| Kansas | $66K | -13% | 160 |
| Georgia | $66K | -14% | 200 |
| South Dakota | $66K | -14% | 170 |
| North Carolina | $65K | -16% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $64K | -17% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | -18% | 120 |
| Kentucky | $62K | -19% | 150 |
| Nebraska | $58K | -25% | 140 |
| Indiana | $55K | -29% | 120 |
| Florida | $53K | -31% | 1,400 |
| Texas | $49K | -36% | 580 |
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 Fort Collins-Loveland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Fort Collins-Loveland?
Yes — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 22.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,187/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Fort Collins-Loveland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,433/month.
Is zoologists and wildlife biologist a high-paying job in Fort Collins-Loveland?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $84K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Fort Collins-Loveland compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Fort Collins-Loveland pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +10%.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The median is $84,240 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,210, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $129,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Fort Collins-Loveland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,329/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,187/month, which eats 22.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a zoologists and wildlife biologists salary go in Fort Collins-Loveland?
Fort Collins-Loveland 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 $84,240 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.