Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
In Portland-South Portland, ME, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $61,010 at the median — $29.33 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $145K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.86), that's roughly $59,896 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,130/month — about 53.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $61K get you in Portland-South Portland?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Portland-South Portland’s Regional Price Parity (101.86). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-South Portland, ME
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $145K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $97K | +33% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $89K | +22% | 320 |
| Mississippi | $87K | +19% | 120 |
| Louisiana | $86K | +18% | 50 |
| Oregon | $85K | +17% | 970 |
| Alaska | $85K | +16% | 690 |
| California | $83K | +13% | 1,580 |
| Maryland | $83K | +13% | 270 |
| North Dakota | $82K | +13% | 100 |
| Washington | $82K | +13% | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $81K | +11% | 100 |
| Michigan | $79K | +8% | 320 |
| Illinois | $79K | +8% | 160 |
| Missouri | $77K | +6% | 150 |
| New Jersey | $77K | +6% | 90 |
| Vermont | $75K | +3% | 70 |
| Ohio | $75K | +3% | 310 |
| Hawaii | $74K | +2% | 200 |
| Wyoming | $74K | +2% | 400 |
| West Virginia | $74K | +1% | 100 |
| Idaho | $73K | -0% | 310 |
| Connecticut | $72K | -1% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $72K | -2% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | -3% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $71K | -3% | 490 |
| Arizona | $70K | -3% | 410 |
| Utah | $70K | -4% | 350 |
| New Hampshire | $69K | -5% | 90 |
| Maine | $67K | -8% | 280 |
| Virginia | $67K | -9% | 370 |
| New Mexico | $66K | -9% | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $66K | -9% | 400 |
| Alabama | $65K | -11% | 310 |
| Montana | $64K | -12% | 370 |
| Georgia | $64K | -13% | 200 |
| Kansas | $63K | -13% | 160 |
| South Dakota | $62K | -15% | 200 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -15% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $61K | -16% | 230 |
| Nevada | $61K | -17% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $60K | -18% | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $57K | -21% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $57K | -22% | 150 |
| Nebraska | $55K | -24% | 160 |
| Indiana | $53K | -27% | 130 |
| Florida | $51K | -29% | 1,210 |
| Texas | $51K | -31% | 550 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-South Portland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median is $61,010 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,400, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $144,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Portland-South Portland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,013/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,130/month, which eats 53.1% 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 Portland-South Portland?
Portland-South Portland has a Regional Price Parity of 101.86 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $59,896 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.