SOC 19-1023 · Yakima, WA metro

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Yakima, WA

The average salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Yakima, Washington is $82,160 a year ($39.50 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $78,460: half of the 50 people in this job in the Yakima, WA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($83,020).

$82,160average per year

$39.50 / hourMedian $78,460Take-home ≈ $66,630

  • $60K10th
  • $63K25th
  • $78KMedian
  • $96K75th
  • $112K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

50people in this job
-1%vs U.S. average
#6 of 8Washington metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Yakima

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,070 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,400 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Yakima earn between $63,130 and $96,100.

  • $60K10th
  • $63K25th
  • $78KMedian
  • $96K75th
  • $112K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$82,160$6,847$39.50
Median$78,460$6,538$37.72
Entry level (25th percentile)$63,130$5,261$30.35
Experienced (75th percentile)$96,100$8,008$46.20

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Yakima vs. Washington and the U.S.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Yakima earn 11% less than the Washington average ($91,970) and about the same as the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +2% against the U.S. median of $76,780.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Yakima$82,160$78,460$60,070$112,40050
Washington$91,970$83,780$62,070$129,8501,840
United States$83,020$76,780$49,100$126,44018,120

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary after taxes in Yakima

On the average salary of $82,160, a single filer in Yakima takes home about $66,630 a year, or $5,552 a month and $2,563 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Washington paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

Is Yakima a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Yakima area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $82,160 buys what about $85,991 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Yakima ($47,810). A typical home costs $355,256, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $82,160 is worth in another city

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other Washington cities

Yakima ranks 6th of 8 Washington metro areas for this job; Seattle pays the most ($105,140).

All Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in Washington

Highest-paying cities for zoologists and wildlife biologists

Santa Cruz, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($122,660).

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by city

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Yakima, WA.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Yakima: questions

How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Yakima?

$39.50 an hour on average, and $37.72 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Yakima?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,070 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,130, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Yakima?

About $66,630 a year ($5,552 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $82,160. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Yakima 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 Yakima, WA (49420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
  • 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 no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 4.27, this job is 4.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.