Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Missouri
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Missouri earn a median of $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,080 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,780. Missouri ranks 22nd of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.04 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $83,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 25th percentile | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Median | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 75th percentile | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,080 | $51.96 |
| Average (mean) | $83,160 | $39.98 |
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 | $6,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,183.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,938.46 |
| Weekly | $1,469.23 |
| Hourly | $36.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Microbiologist | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Forester | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Missouri is $76,400 a year, or $36.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Missouri earn at least $108,080 a year. The top 25% earn $97,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,620 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $62,060 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Missouri?
About 120 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.