Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Indiana, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $54,670 at the median, or about $26.28 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.81), which stretches that salary to about $59,547 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,144/month, about 31.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Indiana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $55K get you in Indiana?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Indiana
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Indiana runs about 29% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,144/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.81 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% 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, Indiana
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $77K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Indiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Indiana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/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 Indiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,651/month. At HUD’s $1,144/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Indiana?
Local pay runs 29% below the national median — $55K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 8% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Indiana compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Indiana pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.81), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Indiana?
The median is $54,670 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,180, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $76,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Indiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,692/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 31% 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 Indiana?
Indiana has a Regional Price Parity of 91.81 (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 $59,547 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.