Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $97,810 +34.2% vs national
Median hourly $47.03
10th percentile $63,000
90th percentile $162,200
Employed locally 260
National median $72,860

Compare Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary & buying power

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

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,000
    25th
    $70,040
    50th (median)
    $97,810
    75th
    $134,440
    90th
    $162,200

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary vs area income 73% Median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary is 27% 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
    Rhode Island $97,050
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $94,370

    Nearby metros — Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $122,170
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $93,640
    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 Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,670
    Biological Technicians $79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $160,210
    Chemists $126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $80,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Francisco, CA is $47.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in San Francisco, CA is 34.2% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (10th percentile) earn around $63,000 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $70,040.