Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Montana
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Montana earn a median of $78,850 a year ($37.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $76,780. Montana ranks 19th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.84 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,740, close to the median.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| 25th percentile | $65,130 | $31.31 |
| Median | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| 75th percentile | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Average (mean) | $78,740 | $37.86 |
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 | $6,570.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,285.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,032.69 |
| Weekly | $1,516.35 |
| Hourly | $37.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $84,230 | 70 |
| Bozeman, MT | $83,230 | 50 |
| Missoula, MT | $73,920 | 70 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Forester | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Microbiologist | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Montana is $78,850 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Montana?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Montana earn at least $96,100 a year. The top 25% earn $86,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,540 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $65,130 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Montana?
About 430 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.