Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Missouri, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $76,400 at the median, or about $36.73 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $85,872 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 21.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Missouri. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $76K get you in Missouri?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $76K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 0% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 22.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Missouri
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $50K 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 Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $76K, rent takes 22.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,457/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 32% 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 Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $76K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Missouri pays $76K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $86K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Missouri?
The median is $76,400 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,620, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $108,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,940/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 22.2% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $85,872 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.