Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Hawaii, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $84,910 at the median, or about $40.82 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $77,072 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 42% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Hawaii?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Hawaii sits well above the national pay line for zoologists and wildlife biologists, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $77K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,240/month, which is 43.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Hawaii
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $88K | +4% | 130 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 43.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/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 Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,939/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 57% 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 Hawaii?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $85K here vs. $77K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 10% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Hawaii pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Hawaii?
The median is $84,910 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,650, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $125,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,170/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 43.3% 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 Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (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 $77,072 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.