Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in San Francisco
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,330 a year or less, while the top 10% make $144,160 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in San Francisco earn between $76,860 and $131,440.
- $62K10th
- $77K25th
- $99KMedian
- $131K75th
- $144K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $105,110 | $8,759 | $50.53 |
| Median | $99,230 | $8,269 | $47.71 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $76,860 | $6,405 | $36.95 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $131,440 | $10,953 | $63.19 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in San Francisco earn 6% less than the California average ($111,800) and 27% more than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +29% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $105,110 | $99,230 | $62,330 | $144,160 | 300 |
| 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 San Francisco
On the average salary of $105,110, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $77,092 a year, or $6,424 a month and $2,965 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). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Francisco a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $105,110 buys what about $90,915 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 10.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other California cities
San Francisco ranks 3rd 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 San Francisco: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in San Francisco?
$50.53 an hour on average, and $47.71 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,330 a year and the 25th percentile is $76,860, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in San Francisco?
About $77,092 a year ($6,424 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $105,110. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?
The average here is 27% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 18.8%.
- 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 state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.08, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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