Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay range in Durham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,990 or more. The middle half of zoologists and wildlife biologists in Durham earn between $63,770 and $101,440.
- $55K10th
- $64K25th
- $80KMedian
- $101K75th
- $113K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $80,990 | $6,749 | $38.94 |
| Median | $80,360 | $6,697 | $38.63 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,770 | $5,314 | $30.66 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $101,440 | $8,453 | $48.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists in Durham earn 8% more than the North Carolina average ($75,060) and about the same as the U.S. average ($83,020). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $76,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $80,990 | $80,360 | $55,350 | $112,990 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $75,060 | $64,620 | $48,370 | $122,120 | 350 |
| 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 Durham
On the average salary of $80,990, a single filer in Durham takes home about $63,084 a year, or $5,257 a month and $2,426 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Durham a good place for zoologists and wildlife biologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $80,990 buys what about $83,005 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other North Carolina cities
Durham ranks 2nd of 2 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Raleigh pays the most ($81,240).
- Raleigh$81,240
- Durham$80,990
All Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salaries in North Carolina
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 Durham: questions
How much do zoologists and wildlife biologists make an hour in Durham?
$38.94 an hour on average, and $38.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists salary in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,770, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the zoologists and wildlife biologists take-home pay in Durham?
About $63,084 a year ($5,257 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $80,990.
Do zoologists and wildlife biologists earn more in Durham than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.7%.
- 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 1.32, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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