Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Montana, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $78,850 at the median, or about $37.91 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $81,289 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 21.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $79K get you in Montana?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Montana
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Montana tracks closely to the national median, $79K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 22.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) 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, Montana
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Montana
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $84K | +7% | 70 |
| Bozeman | $83K | +6% | 50 |
| Missoula | $74K | -6% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 22.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,752/month. At HUD’s $1,129/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 Montana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $79K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Montana compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Montana pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Montana?
The median is $78,850 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,540, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,026/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 22.5% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 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 $81,289 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.