What is the Salary of a Zoologist?

As of May 2022, the normal income range for a zoologist in the United States is somewhere between $62,541 and $94,171, with an average compensation of $76,361. A person’s education level, certifications, supplementary talents, and length of time spent working in their field are just some of the crucial aspects that can have a significant impact on the salary ranges they can expect.

According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the year 2018, the minimum annual wage level for the lowest 10 percent of zoologists is $39,810. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can reasonably anticipate that your starting salary will fall somewhere within this range. Those with doctoral degrees can anticipate beginning their careers with an annual salary anywhere from $63,270 to $78,090, which is the range between the national median and the mark that indicates the top 25 percent of earners. The top 10 percent of zoologists bring in an annual salary of at least $101,780 dollars.

What Does a Zoologist Do?

Zoologists spend their careers studying animals in order to gain insight into their behavior, physiology, and the environments in which they live. They may carry out their job in the natural environment of the animals or they may carry it out in a laboratory setting working with animal specimens. Typically, zoologists concentrate their research on a single group of animals, such as mammals or reptiles, or on a specific species, such as spotted owls. 

The carrying out of experimental investigations is how they come up with findings. Not only do they investigate how different species operate and communicate with one another, but they also investigate how human activity influences these systems. They come up with plans for conservation and initiatives to promote good breeding, which they then convey to the general public. Have a look at the chart that’s been provided for an outline of how to get started in this industry.

Salary of a Zoologist: Education Needed

It is possible that in order to work and earn the salary of a zoologist, you will need to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in a field related to animal conservation or zoology. Science subjects including botany, vertebral morphology, biology, zoology, mammalogy, parasitology, and ecology are some of the topics that are covered in these types of programs. There are a lot of schools out there that provide classes that let you examine the habits and the evolution of animals over the span of history.

Salary of a Zoologist: Job Duties

The salary of a zoologist is earned in various ways. Recall that a scientist that focuses their research on the animal kingdom, particularly on animal behavior, taxonomy, and development, is called a zoologist. As a zoologist, your job is to perform experiments, examine the natural environment of animals, and monitor their behavior in their natural habitat. You will most likely focus on one category of animal, such as birds, reptiles, or mammals, in your studies. You will spend much of your time working outside, frequently in the natural environments of the creatures you study, and occasionally in isolated areas.

Whether you decide to work with living animals in their natural environments or with deceased animals in a laboratory setting, the focus of your research will be on finding solutions to the habitat, health, and social problems that are associated with a species.

Instead of being called a zoologist, you will most likely be referred to as a scientist if you specialize in the study of a particular animal species or group of animals. Herpetologists concentrate on the study of reptiles, whereas ornithologists concentrate on birds.

Where Does a Zoologist Work?

The working settings of zoologists can be rather diverse. It’s possible that some people only work in places like offices and laboratories. Others might become educators at institutions such as museums and universities. The majority of time for many of them is spent outside, either collecting data from the field or researching uncommon animals in their natural environments. The job description and the the salary of a zoologist can seem extremely different depending on the particular position they have or the area of zoology they specialize in, yet their work has an effect all around the world.

Aquariums, Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Centers, and Public Parks

Do zoologists work in zoos? Well, of course! To put it another way, at least some of them do. These wildlife specialists are responsible for the care and management of a wide array of animal species in zoos, wildlife centers, national parks, and aquariums.

But, what do zoologists actually DO at zoos? They take care of the animals, make sure they are distributed appropriately, and ensure that their enclosures are suitable for them in their roles as zookeepers, researchers, and trainers. Zookeepers have the education and experience necessary to restore wild populations and handle risks when it comes to breeding programs.

Wildlife Conservation or Rehabilitation Organizations & Non-Profits Wildlife conservation groups

These types of companies frequently employ zoologists to assist them in efficiently rehabilitating and releasing animals back into the wild. At these groups that are not-for-profit, zoologists have the opportunity to apply their expertise to design conservation and ecotourism programs among local communities as well as to petition government officials.

Academia, Museums, & Offices

There are also zoologists and wildlife biologists who go on to become museum curators. In this capacity, they might be responsible for the management of specimens, the conduct of research, and the dissemination of that knowledge to the general public. It is also not unheard of for a zoologist to go on to pursue a career in education and work as a teacher, professor, or faculty member at a university. They could present the findings in the form of reports, presentations, or articles in research journals.

Companies That Are Both Laboratories and Pharmaceuticals

A pharmaceutical business or a private medical research company may seek the services of a research zoologist in order to test new medications for the treatment of vermin or veterinary medicines. Zoologists are uniquely qualified to carry out scientific lab research on a wide range of animal species thanks to their in-depth understanding of animals in both their natural environments and those held in captivity. That is why the salary of a zoologist is so lucrative.

Related Careers

Conservation science and forestry as well as agriculture and food science are two fields that provide occupations that are similar. The quality of the land and the natural resources are the primary concerns of conservation scientists and foresters. Agricultural and food scientists are concerned about the safety of the food that we have available. They carry out research and then put the findings to use in order to improve crop capacity. These professions require at least a bachelor’s degree to enter.

Salary of a Zoologist: Zoologist Job Outlook

Between the years 2020 and 2030, the employment outlook for zoologists is expected to keep on improving. Therefore, the salary of a zoologist will continue to grow in the future. It is anticipated that the employment prospects for zoologists will improve by 5% throughout the next ten years. That is the same rate as the typical for all different types of jobs. As human populations continue to expand and the climate continues to change, there will be an increased demand for zoologists. There are over 18,500 job openings available for zoologists and wildlife biologists right now. This number is expected to increase as a result of the addition of one thousand more jobs all around the country.

However, wildlife specialists will have to compete with a lot of other applicants in order to get the zoologist job that is available. After graduation, eager young professionals should make an effort to obtain hands-on experience by participating in internships, summer work placements, or volunteer work. This will help them stand out from their peers.