# Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

> Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists
- SOC code: 19-1023.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $76,780 (10th percentile $49,100, 90th percentile $126,440)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.6%
- Openings a year: 1,400
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 22 |
| Social (S) | 26 |
| Enterprising (E) | 22 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 85/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 85/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 81/100)
- Processing Information (importance 81/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 80/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Science, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Critical Thinking, Coordination

## Knowledge

Biology, English Language, Geography, Mathematics, Law and Government, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Public Safety and Security, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Aquarist, Aquatic Biologist, Conservation Biologist, Cryptozoologist, Dolphin Researcher, Ethologist, Field Naturalist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fish Biologist, Fish Culturist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Zoology/Animal Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2607) (CIP 2607, 125 colleges)
- [Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0306) (CIP 0306, 94 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Valley City State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/valley-city-state-university-3107) | Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | not reported | $69,799 | $15,281 |
| [University of Connecticut UCONN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-connecticut-uconn-2902) | Zoology/Animal Biology | $35,530 | $69,471 | $20,500 |
| [University of Maryland-College Park Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-maryland-college-park-main-campus-2949) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $42,104 | $65,639 | $15,926 |
| [New York University NYU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-york-university-nyu-1866) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | not reported | $65,406 | $23,625 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $42,395 | $63,525 | not reported |
| [Connecticut College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/connecticut-college-700) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $46,853 | $62,925 | $22,465 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | not reported | $62,344 | not reported |
| [University of California-Davis](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-davis-2882) | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $43,806 | $62,011 | $15,245 |

## Related careers

- [Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Conservation Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/conservation-scientists): $73,010 median pay
- [Range Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/range-managers): $73,010 median pay
- [Environmental Restoration Planners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-restoration-planners): $82,220 median pay
- [Fish and Game Wardens](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fish-and-game-wardens): $74,060 median pay
- [Soil and Plant Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/soil-and-plant-scientists): $78,850 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.