Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Richmond, VA
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $79,220 a year ($38.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,930 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 10% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $72,340. There are 0.06 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $78,370, close to the median.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| 25th percentile | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Median | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| 75th percentile | $92,480 | $44.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
| Average (mean) | $78,370 | $37.68 |
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 | $6,601.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,300.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,046.92 |
| Weekly | $1,523.46 |
| Hourly | $38.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,330 | 270 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| Forester | $66,430 | $31.94 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Microbiologist | $90,930 | $43.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $79,220 a year, or $38.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $100,930 a year. The top 25% earn $92,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,880 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $65,690 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Richmond, VA?
About 40 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.