Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Massachusetts, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $84,350 at the median, or about $40.55 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $84,274 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 44% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Massachusetts?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Massachusetts tracks closely to the national median, $84K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 10% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,347/month, which is 44.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Massachusetts
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | $94K | +11% | 70 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $75K | -11% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 44.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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 Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,719/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 86% 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 Massachusetts?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $84K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Massachusetts pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $84K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Massachusetts?
The median is $84,350 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,310, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $138,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,292/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 44.3% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $84,274 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.