Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in San Jose
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,060 a year or less, while the top 10% make $157,160 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in San Jose earn between $78,020 and $130,120.
- $45K10th
- $78K25th
- $130KMedian
- $130K75th
- $157K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $107,240 | $8,937 | $51.56 |
| Median | $129,940 | $10,828 | $62.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $78,020 | $6,502 | $37.51 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $130,120 | $10,843 | $62.56 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in San Jose earn 4% less than the California average ($111,800) and 29% more than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +69% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $107,240 | $129,940 | $45,060 | $157,160 | 40 |
| 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 Jose
On the average salary of $107,240, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $78,392 a year, or $6,533 a month and $3,015 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 Jose a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $107,240 buys what about $97,117 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 15.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other California cities
San Jose ranks 2nd 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 Jose: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in San Jose?
$51.56 an hour on average, and $62.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,060 a year and the 25th percentile is $78,020, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in San Jose?
About $78,392 a year ($6,533 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $107,240. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?
The average here is 29% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 16.8%.
- 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 0.31, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.31).
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