Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Salinas
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $116,300 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salinas earn between $63,820 and $95,490.
- $46K10th
- $64K25th
- $85KMedian
- $95K75th
- $116K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $86,020 | $7,168 | $41.36 |
| Median | $84,900 | $7,075 | $40.82 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,820 | $5,318 | $30.68 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $95,490 | $7,958 | $45.91 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Salinas vs. California and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salinas earn 23% less than the California average ($111,800) and 4% more than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | $86,020 | $84,900 | $45,760 | $116,300 | 50 |
| California | $111,800 | $98,530 | $58,380 | $177,760 | 2,210 |
| United States | $83,020 | $76,780 | $49,100 | $126,440 | 18,120 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary after taxes in Salinas
On the average salary of $86,020, a single filer in Salinas takes home about $65,437 a year, or $5,453 a month and $2,517 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Salinas a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Salinas area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.0), so the average $86,020 buys what about $78,887 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Salinas ($47,380). A typical home costs $850,461, or 9.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other California cities
Salinas ranks 8th of 9 California metro areas for this job; Santa Cruz pays the most ($122,660).
- Santa Cruz$122,660
- San Jose$107,240
- San Francisco$105,110
- San Diego$96,760
- Santa Rosa$92,680
- Sacramento$89,820
- Los Angeles$88,020
- Salinas$86,020
- Riverside$85,350
All Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for zoologists and wildlife biologists
Santa Cruz, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($122,660).
- Santa Cruz, CA$122,660
- Washington, DC$115,330
- San Jose, CA$107,240
- Seattle, WA$105,140
- San Francisco, CA$105,110
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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Salinas: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Salinas?
$41.35 an hour on average, and $40.82 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Salinas?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,820, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Salinas?
About $65,437 a year ($5,453 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $86,020. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Salinas than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% more than the U.S. average for this job ($83,020).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1023; area Salinas, CA (41500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 12.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 2.50, this job is 2.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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