Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Washington
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Washington earn a median of $83,780 a year ($40.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,850 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $76,780. Washington ranks 10th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.52 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 25th percentile | $69,380 | $33.36 |
| Median | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| 75th percentile | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,850 | $62.43 |
| Average (mean) | $91,970 | $44.22 |
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 | $6,981.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,490.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,222.31 |
| Weekly | $1,611.15 |
| Hourly | $40.28 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,450 | 720 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $89,880 | 350 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $85,940 | 60 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $84,500 | 80 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $82,880 | 50 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $82,500 | 250 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,460 | 50 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $76,600 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,710 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Animal Scientist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Washington is $83,780 a year, or $40.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Washington?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Washington earn at least $129,850 a year. The top 25% earn $104,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,070 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $69,380 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Washington?
About 1,840 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.