Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Salinas, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA

Median annual salary $84,900 +16.5% vs national
Median hourly $40.82
10th percentile $45,760
90th percentile $116,300
Employed locally 50
National median $72,860

Compare Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary & buying power

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,760
    25th
    $63,820
    50th (median)
    $84,900
    75th
    $95,490
    90th
    $116,300

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary vs area income 90% Median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary is 10% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $122,170
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,890
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $113,030
    Salem, OR $98,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,810
    Rhode Island $97,050

    Nearby metros — Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $122,170
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,810
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $93,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $90,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $90,620
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $84,270

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $64,020
    Urban and Regional Planners $104,290
    School Psychologists $126,730
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $89,760
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $138,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Salinas, CA is $40.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.91 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries?

    The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Salinas, CA is 16.5% above the national median of $72,860. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Salinas?

    Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (10th percentile) earn around $45,760 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,820.