Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In South Dakota, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $65,890 at the median, or about $31.68 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $73,301 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 22.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in South Dakota?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Dakota
Pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $77K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,017/month, 22.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, South Dakota can be a reasonable trade-off for zoologists and wildlife biologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $88K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in South Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $68K | +3% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 22.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,205/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 32% 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 Dakota?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $66K here vs. $77K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
South Dakota pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in South Dakota?
The median is $65,890 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,410, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $87,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,562/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 22.3% 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 Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (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 $73,301 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.