Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Salem
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,640 a year or less, while the top 10% make $113,350 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salem earn between $73,740 and $107,980.
- $58K10th
- $74K25th
- $98KMedian
- $108K75th
- $113K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $90,870 | $7,572 | $43.69 |
| Median | $98,110 | $8,176 | $47.17 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $73,740 | $6,145 | $35.45 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $107,980 | $8,998 | $51.91 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Salem vs. Oregon and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Salem earn 6% more than the Oregon average ($85,550) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +28% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | $90,870 | $98,110 | $57,640 | $113,350 | 80 |
| Oregon | $85,550 | $85,150 | $54,640 | $113,350 | 1,010 |
| 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 Salem
On the average salary of $90,870, a single filer in Salem takes home about $66,107 a year, or $5,509 a month and $2,543 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Is Salem a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Salem area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $90,870 buys what about $87,671 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Salem ($55,310). A typical home costs $454,689, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other Oregon cities
Salem ranks 2nd of 6 Oregon metro areas for this job; Portland pays the most ($91,700).
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 Salem: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Salem?
$43.69 an hour on average, and $47.17 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,640 a year and the 25th percentile is $73,740, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Salem?
About $66,107 a year ($5,509 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $90,870. Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Salem than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Salem, OR (41420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.6%.
- 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). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.84, this job is 3.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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