Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn a median of $86,670 a year ($41.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,390 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 12% lower than the California statewide median of $98,530. There are 0.33 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| 25th percentile | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Median | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| 75th percentile | $105,290 | $50.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,390 | $66.05 |
| Average (mean) | $92,680 | $44.56 |
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 | $7,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,611.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,333.46 |
| Weekly | $1,666.73 |
| Hourly | $41.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,670 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 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,900 | 50 |
| 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $145,340 | $69.87 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Microbiologist | $123,590 | $59.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,620 | $56.07 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $109,710 | $52.75 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Food Science Technician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Chemist | $92,240 | $44.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area is $86,670 a year, or $41.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn at least $137,390 a year. The top 25% earn $105,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,220 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $64,730 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
About 70 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.