Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in New Mexico
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in New Mexico earn a median of $68,220 a year ($32.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $76,780. New Mexico ranks 35th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.19 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| 25th percentile | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Median | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| 75th percentile | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Average (mean) | $73,400 | $35.29 |
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 | $5,685 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,842.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,623.85 |
| Weekly | $1,311.92 |
| Hourly | $32.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $67,930 | 50 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $67,870 | 40 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $69,480 | $33.41 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Forester | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Physicist | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,330 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico is $68,220 a year, or $32.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico earn at least $96,100 a year. The top 25% earn $80,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,080 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $63,480 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in New Mexico?
About 170 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.