Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Idaho, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $73,360 at the median, or about $35.27 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $78,142 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Idaho?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Idaho
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Idaho tracks closely to the national median, $73K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,136/month, 24% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Idaho
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $77K | +5% | 150 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $73K | +0% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 24% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,990/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Idaho?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $73K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Idaho pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Idaho?
The median is $73,360 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,840, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,734/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 24% 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 Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (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 $78,142 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.