Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary
In Washington, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $83,780 at the median, or about $40.28 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $82,129 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 32.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Washington?
About zoologists and wildlife biologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Zoologists and wildlife biologists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $84K locally vs. $77K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by metro in Washington
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $96K | +15% | 720 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $86K | +3% | 60 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $85K | +1% | 80 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $83K | -1% | 50 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $83K | -2% | 250 |
| Yakima | $78K | -6% | 50 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $77K | -9% | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $75K | -11% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track zoologists and wildlife biologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a zoologists and wildlife biologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 32.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new zoologists and wildlife biologists typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,724/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 49% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $84K locally vs. $77K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Washington pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $77K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Washington?
The median is $83,780 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,070, and experienced zoologists and wildlife biologists can clear $129,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,610/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 32.6% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median zoologists and wildlife biologists salary is worth about $82,129 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.