Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Illinois, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $79,780 at the median, or about $38.36 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $113K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $85,008 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 26.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Illinois?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Illinois
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $80K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $113K or more, a $57K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Illinois
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $80K | +0% | 190 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 27.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,341/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $80K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Illinois pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Illinois?
The median is $79,780 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,690, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $112,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,047/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 27.9% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $85,008 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.