Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Kentucky
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Kentucky earn a median of $61,950 a year ($29.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,040 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $76,780. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.07 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $64,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 25th percentile | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Median | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| 75th percentile | $75,780 | $36.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,040 | $39.93 |
| Average (mean) | $64,970 | $31.24 |
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 | $5,162.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,581.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,382.69 |
| Weekly | $1,191.35 |
| Hourly | $29.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Forester | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky is $61,950 a year, or $29.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky earn at least $83,040 a year. The top 25% earn $75,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,960 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $51,680 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Kentucky?
About 150 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.