Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Mississippi, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $88,710 at the median, or about $42.65 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.9), which stretches that salary to about $99,786 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,077/month, or 19.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Mississippi. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Mississippi?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Mississippi
Mississippi sits well above the national pay line for zoologists and wildlife biologists, local pay runs about 16% higher than the U.S. median of $77K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,077/month, 19.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.9 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Mississippi offers a genuinely strong financial position for zoologists and wildlife biologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Mississippi
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Mississippi
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | $114K | +28% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Mississippi numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Mississippi?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 19.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,077/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Mississippi?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,157/month. At HUD’s $1,077/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Mississippi?
Local pay is 16% above the national median — $89K here vs. $77K nationally.
How does Mississippi compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Mississippi pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.9), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Mississippi?
The median is $88,710 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,610, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $141,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Mississippi?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,552/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month, which eats 19.4% 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 Mississippi?
Mississippi has a Regional Price Parity of 88.9 (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 $99,786 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.