Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Santa Rosa
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,220 a year or less, while the top 10% make $137,390 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Rosa earn between $64,730 and $105,290.
- $52K10th
- $65K25th
- $87KMedian
- $105K75th
- $137K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $92,680 | $7,723 | $44.56 |
| Median | $86,670 | $7,222 | $41.67 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $64,730 | $5,394 | $31.12 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $105,290 | $8,774 | $50.62 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Santa Rosa vs. California and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Rosa earn 17% less than the California average ($111,800) and 12% more than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +13% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | $92,680 | $86,670 | $52,220 | $137,390 | 70 |
| 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 Santa Rosa
On the average salary of $92,680, a single filer in Santa Rosa takes home about $69,503 a year, or $5,792 a month and $2,673 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% 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 Santa Rosa a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Santa Rosa area are 8% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 107.8), so the average $92,680 buys what about $85,987 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Rosa ($56,850). A typical home costs $796,761, or 8.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other California cities
Santa Rosa ranks 5th 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 Santa Rosa: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Santa Rosa?
$44.56 an hour on average, and $41.67 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Santa Rosa?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,220 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,730, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Santa Rosa?
About $69,503 a year ($5,792 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $92,680. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Santa Rosa than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA (42220). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 12.2%.
- 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 2.79, this job is 2.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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