Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Santa Fe, NM
In Santa Fe, NM, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $66,230 at the median — $31.84 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.77), that's roughly $67,055 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,685/month — about 38.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $66K get you in Santa Fe?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Fe’s Regional Price Parity (98.77). 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, Santa Fe, NM
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $26K 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 Santa Fe numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Santa Fe, NM?
The median is $66,230 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,030, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $74,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Santa Fe?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,394/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,685/month, which eats 38.3% 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 Santa Fe?
Santa Fe has a Regional Price Parity of 98.77 (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 $67,055 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.