Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Helena
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $86,530 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Helena earn between $66,080 and $84,230.
- $66K10th
- $66K25th
- $84KMedian
- $84K75th
- $87K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $80,160 | $6,680 | $38.54 |
| Median | $84,230 | $7,019 | $40.50 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $66,080 | $5,507 | $31.77 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $84,230 | $7,019 | $40.50 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Helena vs. Montana and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Helena earn about the same as the Montana average ($78,740) and 3% less than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $80,160 | $84,230 | $66,080 | $86,530 | 70 |
| Montana | $78,740 | $78,850 | $62,540 | $96,100 | 430 |
| 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 Helena
On the average salary of $80,160, a single filer in Helena takes home about $62,054 a year, or $5,171 a month and $2,387 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Helena a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Helena area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $80,160 buys what about $83,784 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Helena ($55,040). A typical home costs $477,996, or 6.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other Montana cities
Helena ranks 2nd of 3 Montana metro areas for this job; Bozeman pays the most ($85,780).
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 Helena: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Helena?
$38.54 an hour on average, and $40.49 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Helena?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,080, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Helena?
About $62,054 a year ($5,171 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $80,160.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Helena than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% 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 Helena, MT (25740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.5%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 12.55, this job is 12.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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