Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Kentucky, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $61,950 at the median, or about $29.79 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $68,658 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Kentucky. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $62K get you in Kentucky?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,110/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Kentucky
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $36K 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 Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 27% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,818/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Kentucky?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $62K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Kentucky pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Kentucky?
The median is $61,950 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,960, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $83,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,111/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 27% 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (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 $68,658 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.