Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Virginia, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $72,340 at the median, or about $34.78 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $76,316 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 34.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in Virginia?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $72K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 6% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,646/month, which is 35.5% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Virginia
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $105K or more, a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Virginia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $79K | +10% | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $73K | +1% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 35.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,998/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $72K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Virginia pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — below the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Virginia?
The median is $72,340 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,960, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $104,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,636/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 35.5% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $76,316 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.