Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $80,360 a year ($38.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,990 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 24% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $64,620. There are 0.15 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,350 | $26.61 |
| 25th percentile | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Median | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| 75th percentile | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,990 | $54.32 |
| Average (mean) | $80,990 | $38.94 |
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 | $6,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,348.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,090.77 |
| Weekly | $1,545.38 |
| Hourly | $38.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,760 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,870 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $80,360 a year, or $38.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $112,990 a year. The top 25% earn $101,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,350 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $63,770 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 50 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.