Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Salinas, CA
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $84,900 a year ($40.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,300 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 14% lower than the California statewide median of $98,530. There are 0.29 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Median | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| 75th percentile | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,300 | $55.91 |
| Average (mean) | $86,020 | $41.35 |
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 | $7,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,537.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,265.38 |
| Weekly | $1,632.69 |
| Hourly | $40.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,940 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $122,170 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,230 | 300 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $93,500 | 250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $86,670 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,620 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,490 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,360 | n/a |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $90,080 | $43.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $115,910 | $55.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $125,300 | $60.24 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Agricultural Technician | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Food Science Technician | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Biological Technician | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,510 | $30.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Salinas, CA metro area is $84,900 a year, or $40.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $116,300 a year. The top 25% earn $95,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $63,820 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Salinas, CA?
About 50 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.