Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist salary
From 67 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-1023: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 39% of Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 28% since FY2020. From $60,000 in FY2020 to $76,814 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 67 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists). The median base salary is $74,584, 39% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $64,917 and $85,900. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 39% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 39% of filings
Mid-level · 33% of filings
Senior · 29% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $58,500 | 19 |
| Level II · Qualified | $74,792 | 16 |
| Level III · Experienced | $86,011 | 14 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist does
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
Typical tasks
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (19-1023.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists), the median annual wage was $76,780 in May 2025, with 18,120 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $74,584, 3% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,024 | $49,100 |
| 25th percentile | $64,917 | $61,180 |
| Median | $74,584 | $76,780 |
| 75th percentile | $85,900 | $96,100 |
| 90th percentile | $114,960 | $126,440 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $53,024 |
| 25th | $64,917 |
| 50th (median) | $74,584 |
| 75th | $85,900 |
| 90th | $114,960 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $60,000 | $53,595 | $68,102 | 50 |
| FY2021 | $57,995 | $50,000 | $67,776 | 46 |
| FY2022 | $59,300 | $53,660 | $70,450 | 51 |
| FY2023 | $65,508 | $58,000 | $72,100 | 49 |
| FY2024 | $67,463 | $56,637 | $80,000 | 54 |
| FY2025 | $72,970 | $61,612 | $84,960 | 46 |
| FY2026 | $76,814 | $65,000 | $110,500 | 21 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist jobs is $74,584 (67 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $64,917 and $85,900.
What does an entry-level Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $58,500. Level I accounts for 39% of Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist filings.
Do H-1B Zoologist / Wildlife Biologists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($74,584) is 3% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($76,780, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.