Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $93,640 +28.5% vs national
Median hourly $45.02
10th percentile $61,420
90th percentile $170,740
Employed locally 180
National median $72,860

Compare Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,420
    25th
    $78,670
    50th (median)
    $93,640
    75th
    $128,750
    90th
    $170,740

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary vs area income 92% Median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary is 8% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $90,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $90,620
    Salinas, CA $84,900
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $84,270

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Diego, CA is $45.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.08 or more per hour.

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

    The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in San Diego, CA is 28.5% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (10th percentile) earn around $61,420 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,670.