Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Maine, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $74,490 at the median, or about $35.81 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.7), that's roughly $76,244 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,281/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maine. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $74K get you in Maine?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Maine
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Maine tracks closely to the national median, $74K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $1,281/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97.7) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maine
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Maine
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $79K | +6% | 50 |
| Portland-South Portland | $77K | +4% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maine numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maine?
Yes — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 27% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,281/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Maine?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,101/month. At HUD’s $1,281/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 Maine?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $74K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Maine compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Maine pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97.7), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Maine?
The median is $74,490 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,690, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $97,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Maine?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,748/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,281/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 Maine?
Maine has a Regional Price Parity of 97.7 (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 $76,244 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.