Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $79,780 a year ($38.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,900 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $79,780. There are 0.04 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $82,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,720 | $24.86 |
| 25th percentile | $61,220 | $29.44 |
| Median | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 75th percentile | $96,780 | $46.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,900 | $54.28 |
| Average (mean) | $82,050 | $39.45 |
Half of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,068.46 |
| Weekly | $1,534.23 |
| Hourly | $38.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 |
| California | $98,530 |
| Alaska | $90,370 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 |
| Washington | $83,780 |
See Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Forester | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $79,780 a year, or $38.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $112,900 a year. The top 25% earn $96,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,720 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $61,220 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 190 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.