Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Louisiana, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $87,460 at the median, or about $42.05 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.28), which stretches that salary to about $100,206 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,191/month, or 21.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Louisiana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $87K get you in Louisiana?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Louisiana
Louisiana sits well above the national pay line for zoologists and wildlife biologists, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $77K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,191/month, 21.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.28 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Louisiana offers a genuinely strong financial position for zoologists and wildlife biologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Louisiana
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $119K or more, a $54K 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 Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Louisiana?
Yes — at the median salary of $87K, rent takes 21.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,191/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Louisiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,924/month. At HUD’s $1,191/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is zoologists and wildlife biologist a high-paying job in Louisiana?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $87K here vs. $77K nationally.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Louisiana pays $87K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.28), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Louisiana?
The median is $87,460 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,400, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $119,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,565/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 21.4% 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 87.28 (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 $100,206 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.