Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $50,000 a year ($24.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,910 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 5% lower than the Florida statewide median of $52,750. 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 $52,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| 25th percentile | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| Median | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| 75th percentile | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Average (mean) | $52,760 | $25.37 |
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 | $4,166.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,083.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.08 |
| Weekly | $961.54 |
| Hourly | $24.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $68,200 | 50 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $57,240 | n/a |
| Gainesville, FL | $55,790 | 110 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $55,050 | 300 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $54,750 | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $53,230 | 240 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $52,060 | 110 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $49,920 | 40 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $48,110 | 90 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Biological Technician | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| School Psychologist | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,670 | $27.72 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Chemist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $87,740 | $42.18 |
| Food Science Technician | $52,970 | $25.46 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $50,000 a year, or $24.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $66,910 a year. The top 25% earn $56,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,200 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $45,540 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 40 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.