Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $121,890 +67.3% vs national
Median hourly $58.60
10th percentile $61,690
90th percentile $181,210
Employed locally 230
National median $72,860

Compare Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,690
    25th
    $84,780
    50th (median)
    $121,890
    75th
    $149,410
    90th
    $181,210

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary vs area income 98% Median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary is 2% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $122,170
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $113,030
    Salem, OR $98,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,810
    Rhode Island $97,050
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $94,370

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $58.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.48 or more per hour.

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

    The median Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 67.3% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (10th percentile) earn around $61,690 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $84,780.