Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Tennessee, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $73,570 at the median, or about $35.37 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $81,945 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 23.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $74K get you in Tennessee?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Tennessee
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $74K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 24.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Tennessee
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Tennessee
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $79K | +8% | 70 |
| Knoxville | $63K | -15% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 24.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,050/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $74K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Tennessee pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Tennessee?
The median is $73,570 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,840, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $99,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,012/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 24.2% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $81,945 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.