Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Virginia
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Virginia earn a median of $72,340 a year ($34.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $76,780. Virginia ranks 32nd of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.07 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $76,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| 25th percentile | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Median | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| 75th percentile | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Average (mean) | $76,780 | $36.91 |
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 | $6,028.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,014.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,782.31 |
| Weekly | $1,391.15 |
| Hourly | $34.78 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,330 | 270 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,220 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,760 | 130 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Microbiologist | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $105,780 | $50.86 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,590 | $44.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Virginia is $72,340 a year, or $34.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Virginia earn at least $104,920 a year. The top 25% earn $90,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,960 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $59,440 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Virginia?
About 290 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.