How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make in California?
$98,530a year
Median yearly pay for zoologist and wildlife biologists in California. That is $47.37 an hour or $8,211 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.37
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 47
- Jobs in the state
- 2,210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $58,380Median: $98,530Highest 10%: $177,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,380 | $28.07 | |
| 25th | $75,250 | $36.18 | |
| Median | $98,530 | $47.37 | |
| 75th | $168,200 | $80.85 | |
| 90th | $177,800 | $85.46 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $129,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $122,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $99,230 |
| San Diego, CA | $93,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $86,670 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,620 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $83,490 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,360 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for zoologist and wildlife biologists.
| 1. Maryland | $107,500 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $107,100 |
| 3. California | $98,530 |
| 4. Alaska | $90,370 |
| 5. Mississippi | $88,710 |
| 6. Louisiana | $87,460 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $47.37 ($98,530 a year).
Do zoologist and wildlife biologists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $98,530 against $76,780 nationally, 28% more.
Where does California rank for zoologist and wildlife biologist pay?
California ranks 3 of 47 states.
Which city in California pays zoologist and wildlife biologists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $129,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.