Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $65,870 a year ($31.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $64,620. There are 0.06 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $81,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,700 | $22.94 |
| 25th percentile | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| Median | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| 75th percentile | $121,040 | $58.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Average (mean) | $81,240 | $39.06 |
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 | $5,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,744.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,533.46 |
| Weekly | $1,266.73 |
| Hourly | $31.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,870 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,360 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,760 | 130 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Forester | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $65,870 a year, or $31.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $132,040 a year. The top 25% earn $121,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,700 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $53,550 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 50 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.