How to Become a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist
Study animals in the wild and the lab, informing conservation and how species and habitats are managed. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $76,780 per year and slower than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$76,780/yr
Job growth
1%
Openings / yr
1,400
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Field Research
- Species Identification
- Data Collection
- Science
- Technical Writing
Helpful certifications
- TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist (advanced)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
null/100
Work-life balance
null/100
Stress level
null/100
Satisfaction
null/100
Related careers
- Physicist$172,250 median
- Natural Sciences Manager$167,220 median
- Biochemist$127,410 median
- Biostatistician$105,650 median
- Statistician$105,650 median
- Biomedical Scientist / Researcher$103,410 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist make?
The median pay for a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist is $76,780 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Biology, Animal Science, Environmental Science, and Zoology.
Is Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist a growing field?
The BLS projects slower than average demand for this role, about 1% over the decade, with roughly 1,400 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist use most?
Common skills for this role are Field Research, Species Identification, Data Collection, Science, and Technical Writing.
Planning to become a Zoologist / Wildlife Biologist?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.