Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In South Carolina, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $64,090 at the median, or about $30.81 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $112K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $68,788 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 30% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in South Carolina?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in South Carolina
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Carolina runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $77K. Rent runs $1,263/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (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, South Carolina
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $112K or more, a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in South Carolina
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $80K | +24% | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $58K | -9% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $64K, rent takes 29.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,804/month. At HUD’s $1,263/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 South Carolina?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $64K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
South Carolina pays $64K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in South Carolina?
The median is $64,090 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,740, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $111,830. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,250/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 29.7% 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (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 $68,788 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.