Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Nebraska, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $57,890 at the median, or about $27.83 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.05), which stretches that salary to about $64,287 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,113/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Nebraska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $58K get you in Nebraska?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Nebraska
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Nebraska runs about 25% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,113/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.05 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Nebraska
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Nebraska
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $55K | -6% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Nebraska numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Nebraska?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 28.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,113/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Nebraska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,721/month. At HUD’s $1,113/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 Nebraska?
Local pay runs 25% below the national median — $58K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Nebraska compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Nebraska pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.05), the purchasing-power equivalent is $64K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Nebraska?
The median is $57,890 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,350, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $83,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Nebraska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,859/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,113/month, which eats 28.8% 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 Nebraska?
Nebraska has a Regional Price Parity of 90.05 (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 $64,287 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.