How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make in San Diego?
Median yearly pay for zoologist and wildlife biologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $44.95 an hour or $7,792 a month.
- Hourly
- $44.95
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 11 of 97
- Jobs in the area
- 250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,170 | $24.12 | |
| 25th | $71,520 | $34.38 | |
| Median | $93,500 | $44.95 | |
| 75th | $115,800 | $55.67 | |
| 90th | $141,600 | $68.08 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for zoologist and wildlife biologists.
| San Francisco, CA | $99,230 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $86,670 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,620 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $83,490 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,360 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $156,500 |
| Psychologist | $148,800 |
| Physical Scientist | $132,400 |
| School Psychologist | $131,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $131,000 |
| Epidemiologist | $125,300 |
| Economist | $122,800 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $121,700 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $120,400 |
| Microbiologist | $108,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $44.95 ($93,500 a year).
Do zoologist and wildlife biologists make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $93,500 against $76,780 nationally, 22% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $98,530, so San Diego pays 5% less.
Where does San Diego rank for zoologist and wildlife biologist pay?
11 of 97 metro areas with data.
How much does a zoologist and wildlife biologist make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $141,600 or more.
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.