Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in South Dakota
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in South Dakota earn a median of $65,890 a year ($31.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,640 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $76,780. South Dakota ranks 39th of 47 states for zoologists and wildlife biologists pay. There are 0.38 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,410 | $25.68 |
| 25th percentile | $56,970 | $27.39 |
| Median | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| 75th percentile | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,640 | $42.14 |
| Average (mean) | $69,120 | $33.23 |
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 | $5,490.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,745.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,534.23 |
| Weekly | $1,267.12 |
| Hourly | $31.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $68,100 | 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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Forester | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Microbiologist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota is $65,890 a year, or $31.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota earn at least $87,640 a year. The top 25% earn $78,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,410 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $56,970 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in South Dakota?
About 170 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.