Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in North Carolina
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in North Carolina earn a median of $64,620 a year ($31.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,120 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $76,780. North Carolina ranks 40th 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 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $75,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| 25th percentile | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Median | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,120 | $58.71 |
| Average (mean) | $75,060 | $36.09 |
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 | $5,385 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,692.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,485.38 |
| Weekly | $1,242.69 |
| Hourly | $31.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,360 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,760 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,870 | 50 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina is $64,620 a year, or $31.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina earn at least $122,120 a year. The top 25% earn $81,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,370 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $56,470 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in North Carolina?
About 350 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.