Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Colorado
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Colorado earn a median of $83,300 a year ($40.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,390 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $76,780. Colorado ranks 11th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.26 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 25th percentile | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Median | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| 75th percentile | $99,850 | $48.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,390 | $55.96 |
| Average (mean) | $86,710 | $41.69 |
Half of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,941.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,470.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,203.85 |
| Weekly | $1,601.92 |
| Hourly | $40.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | $84,360 | 30 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $84,240 | 140 |
| Boulder, CO | $83,300 | 130 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $80,540 | 160 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $72,860 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 |
| California | $98,530 |
| Alaska | $90,370 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 |
| Washington | $83,780 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Microbiologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| Forester | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Colorado?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Colorado is $83,300 a year, or $40.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Colorado earn at least $116,390 a year. The top 25% earn $99,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,590 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $69,620 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Colorado?
About 730 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.