Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Illinois
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois earn a median of $79,780 a year ($38.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,900 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $76,780. Illinois ranks 16th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.04 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $82,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| 25th percentile | $61,220 | $29.44 |
| Median | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 75th percentile | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,900 | $54.28 |
| Average (mean) | $82,210 | $39.53 |
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 | $6,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,068.46 |
| Weekly | $1,534.23 |
| Hourly | $38.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $79,780 | 190 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,340 | $45.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Epidemiologist | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Forester | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| Animal Scientist | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Illinois is $79,780 a year, or $38.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Illinois earn at least $112,900 a year. The top 25% earn $97,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,690 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $61,220 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Illinois?
About 250 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.