Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Madison, WI
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $70,410 a year ($33.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,530 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $68,370. There are 0.27 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| 25th percentile | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| Median | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| 75th percentile | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| Average (mean) | $70,860 | $34.07 |
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 | $5,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,933.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,708.08 |
| Weekly | $1,354.04 |
| Hourly | $33.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $78,850 | 50 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $69,030 | 70 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,050 | 310 |
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 |
See Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Animal Scientist | $84,310 | $40.54 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Forester | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Madison, WI metro area is $70,410 a year, or $33.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $84,530 a year. The top 25% earn $83,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,950 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $54,250 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Madison, WI?
About 110 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.