Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In New Mexico, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $68,220 at the median, or about $32.8 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.06), which stretches that salary to about $73,308 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,119/month, or 25% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Mexico. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in New Mexico?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in New Mexico
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $77K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,119/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.06 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, New Mexico can be a reasonable trade-off for zoologists and wildlife biologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Mexico
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in New Mexico
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $68K | -0% | 50 |
| Santa Fe | $68K | -1% | 40 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Mexico numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Mexico?
Yes — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,119/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,065/month. At HUD’s $1,119/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 New Mexico?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $68K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does New Mexico compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
New Mexico pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in New Mexico?
The median is $68,220 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,080, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in New Mexico?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,503/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,119/month, which eats 24.9% 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 New Mexico?
New Mexico has a Regional Price Parity of 93.06 (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 $73,308 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.