Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $47.37 an hour ($98,530 a year). About 2,210 people work in this job there.
That is 28% higher than the U.S. median ($76,780). California ranks 3rd of 47 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $28.07 | $58,380 |
| 25% of workers | $36.18 | $75,250 |
| Half of workers (median) | $47.37 | $98,530 |
| 75% of workers | $80.85 | $168,170 |
| 90% of workers | $85.46 | $177,760 |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $129,940 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $122,170 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $99,230 | 300 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $93,500 | 250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $86,670 | 70 |
| Salinas | $84,900 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $84,620 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $83,490 | 0 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $82,360 | 0 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for zoologists and wildlife biologists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +3.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 |
| Microbiologists | $108,530 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 |
| Conservation Scientists | $79,810 |
| Epidemiologists | $110,760 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.