SOC 19-1023 · Santa Fe, NM metro

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Santa Fe, NM

The average salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $66,470 a year ($31.96 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $67,870: half of the 40 people in this job in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 20% less than the U.S. average for this job ($83,020).

$66,470average per year

$31.96 / hourMedian $67,870Take-home ≈ $53,630

  • $51K10th
  • $62K25th
  • $68KMedian
  • $68K75th
  • $76K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
-20%vs U.S. average
#2 of 2New Mexico metros
99cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Santa Fe

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,290 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Fe earn between $62,400 and $68,470.

  • $51K10th
  • $62K25th
  • $68KMedian
  • $68K75th
  • $76K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$66,470$5,539$31.96
Median$67,870$5,656$32.63
Entry level (25th percentile)$62,400$5,200$30.00
Experienced (75th percentile)$68,470$5,706$32.92

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Santa Fe vs. New Mexico and the U.S.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Santa Fe earn 9% less than the New Mexico average ($73,400) and 20% less than the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $76,780.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Santa Fe$66,470$67,870$50,920$76,29040
New Mexico$73,400$68,220$51,080$96,100170
United States$83,020$76,780$49,100$126,44018,120

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary after taxes in Santa Fe

On the average salary of $66,470, a single filer in Santa Fe takes home about $53,630 a year, or $4,469 a month and $2,063 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

New Mexico paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Santa Fe a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Santa Fe area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.8), so the average $66,470 buys what about $67,300 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Fe ($48,710). A typical home costs $558,896, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $66,470 is worth in another city

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other New Mexico cities

Santa Fe ranks 2nd of 2 New Mexico metro areas for this job; Albuquerque pays the most ($78,150).

All Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in New Mexico

Highest-paying cities for zoologists and wildlife biologists

Santa Cruz, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($122,660).

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary by city

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Santa Fe: questions

How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Santa Fe?

$31.96 an hour on average, and $32.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Santa Fe?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $62,400, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Santa Fe?

About $53,630 a year ($4,469 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $66,470.

Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Santa Fe than elsewhere?

The average here is 20% 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 Santa Fe, NM (42140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
  • 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 5.71, this job is 5.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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