Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,720 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,900 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Chicago earn between $61,220 and $96,780.
- $52K10th
- $61K25th
- $80KMedian
- $97K75th
- $113K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $82,050 | $6,838 | $39.45 |
| Median | $79,780 | $6,648 | $38.36 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,220 | $5,102 | $29.43 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $96,780 | $8,065 | $46.53 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($82,210) and about the same as the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +4% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $82,050 | $79,780 | $51,720 | $112,900 | 190 |
| Illinois | $82,210 | $79,780 | $55,690 | $112,900 | 250 |
| 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 Chicago
On the average salary of $82,050, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $62,632 a year, or $5,219 a month and $2,409 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $64,121 | $5,343 |
| Working in IL | $62,632 | $5,219 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $82,050 buys what about $79,203 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in nearby metro areas
- Madison, WI$70,860
- Lansing, MI$72,830
- La Crosse, WI$79,870
- Detroit, MI$77,580
- Columbus, OH$76,730
- Cleveland, OH$81,890
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 Chicago: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Chicago?
$39.45 an hour on average, and $38.36 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,720 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,220, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Chicago?
About $62,632 a year ($5,219 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $82,050.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.7%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.37, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.37).
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