Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In North Carolina, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $64,620 at the median, or about $31.07 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $69,739 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in North Carolina?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina runs about 16% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,284/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% 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, North Carolina
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $122K or more, a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in North Carolina
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $80K | +24% | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $66K | +2% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 30.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,902/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 North Carolina?
Local pay runs 16% below the national median — $65K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
North Carolina pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in North Carolina?
The median is $64,620 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,370, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $122,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,245/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 30.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a zoologists and wildlife biologists salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $69,739 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.