Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Lakeland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $66,910 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Lakeland earn between $45,540 and $56,470.
- $41K10th
- $46K25th
- $50KMedian
- $56K75th
- $67K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $52,760 | $4,397 | $25.37 |
| Median | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24.04 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,540 | $3,795 | $21.89 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $56,470 | $4,706 | $27.15 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Lakeland vs. Florida and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Lakeland earn 14% less than the Florida average ($61,260) and 36% less than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is -35% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | $52,760 | $50,000 | $41,200 | $66,910 | 40 |
| Florida | $61,260 | $52,750 | $39,900 | $97,660 | 1,400 |
| 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 Lakeland
On the average salary of $52,760, a single filer in Lakeland takes home about $44,573 a year, or $3,714 a month and $1,714 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Lakeland a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lakeland area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1), so the average $52,760 buys what about $54,313 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Lakeland ($46,140). A typical home costs $298,816, or 5.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other Florida cities
Lakeland ranks 10th of 10 Florida metro areas for this job; Orlando pays the most ($72,670).
- Orlando$72,670
- Panama City$72,350
- Miami$70,880
- Tampa$61,590
- Gainesville$61,390
- Naples$59,230
- Tallahassee$57,900
- Palm Bay$55,240
- Jacksonville$52,860
- Lakeland$52,760
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 Lakeland: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Lakeland?
$25.37 an hour on average, and $24.04 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Lakeland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,540, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Lakeland?
About $44,573 a year ($3,714 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $52,760. Florida has no state income tax.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Lakeland than elsewhere?
The average here is 36% less 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (29460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.30, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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