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Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

Overview and Key Facts

woman with big cats
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$72,860
Job Growth
Job Growth
1.60%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
18,500

What Do They Do?

A zoologist or wildlife biologist could...

 
elephant
Design physically and mentally stimulating habitats for zoo animals.
whales
Track whales during their migrations to monitor population sizes.
national park
Educate park visitors about local wildlife.
raccoon
Take blood samples from raccoons to monitor levels of rabies and other diseases.
 
elephant whales national park raccoon

Overview Listen to this section

Ever wondered what wild animals do all day, where a certain species lives, or how to make sure a species doesn't go extinct? Zoologists and wildlife biologists tackle all these questions. They study the behaviors and habitats of wild animals, while also working to maintain healthy populations, both in the wild and in captivity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYA2KzwdrAA

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist?


  1. Judgment and Decision Making: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Reading Comprehension: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist might do:
  • Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  • Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  • Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
  • Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
  • Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
  • Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
  • Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
  • Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
  • Conduct literature reviews.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist jobs (1.60%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

A bachelor degree in an natural sciences field such as zoology, ecology, general biology, animal science, or wildlife biology is the minimum requirement for a career in zoology or wildlife biology. However the job market is extremely competitive so higher degrees, like a masters or doctoral degree, may increase chances for career advancement.

In addition to formal education, informal job training through internships and volunteering is recommended. Informal training is a way of showing prospective employers your dedication as well as a valuable way of gaining real world experience. Local museums, aquariums, zoos, and nature preserves often offer volunteer opportunities.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's degree in an natural sciences field such as zoology, ecology, general biology, animal science, or wildlife biology is the minimum requirement for an entry-level position as a zoologist or wildlife biologist. Additional coursework in statistics, data modeling, and computer science are an advantage for zoologists and wildlife biologists who will be focusing on research and need good data-analysis skills.

Because competition for jobs is high, a master's degree can be an advantage. Also, some employers require a master's degree for advancement beyond entry-level positions. A PhD is required for most university-based positions, such as a professor in a zoology department.

Companies That Hire Zoologist and Wildlife Biologists

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Meet Tim Susman, staff zoologist at the University of Minnesota.
Most zoology projects will also involve a lot of work either in a laboratory or out in the field...I spent a lot of time outdoors looking for fox dens, and even more time sitting near the dens waiting for them to show up. 
Tim Susman, Ph.D.
Dr. Rae-Wynn Grant has been involved in multiple conservation projects with large carnivores around the world and right now is focusing on helping grizzlies find safe corridors for travel through Western North America.
I hope my identity and my face in this work can inspire people like me, or people from non-traditional backgrounds to see themselves in this work and see themselves contributing ideas and being leaders in environmental protection. 
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

Nature of the Work

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study every aspect of wild animals—their origins, behaviors, diseases, habitats, life cycles, population structures, and genetics. Some experiment with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings, while others dissect dead animals to study their physiology and health. Zoologists and wildlife biologists may also collect and analyze biological data to determine the impact that human uses of land and water resources have on local animal populations.

Some zoologists and wildlife biologists are involved in conservation work, helping to understand and preserve at-risk populations of animals. They may also work to set up and maintain good environments for animals in nature preserves and zoos. Zoologists usually are identified by the animal group they study. For example, ornithologists study birds, mammalogists study mammals, herpetologists study reptiles, and ichthyologists study fish.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists, particularly those in academia, may spend a significant amount of time writing. This can take various forms, including scientific articles discussing research results, ecology reports, and funding requests.

Work Environment

Zoologists and wildlife biologists work in a wide variety of positions both indoors and outdoors. They conduct research both in the field and in laboratories or other controlled settings, analyze data using computer models and statistics, and educate the public about their findings.

Research that involves direct observation of the animals in their natural habitat may require long spans of time outdoors in rustic conditions. Occasionally these positions require the zoologist or wildlife biologist to live in remote locations, like in the case of an ornithologist studying the nesting behaviors of King Penguins in Antarctica.

Federal and state agencies, like the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, employ a large number of zoologists and wildlife biologists. Jobs can also be found with universities, typically as professors, zoos, non-profit organizations, museums, environmental consulting firms, and hunting ranches.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Sources

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