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Study living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Research the basic principles of plant and animal life, including origin, relationships, development, anatomy, and biological function.
$46,600
Lower reported wage
—
Not available in our data
$108,020
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →“Biologist” covers many specialties; the cited BLS profile specifically describes zoologists and wildlife biologists. [1]
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
No generic Biologist SOC. Mapped to 19-1029 Biological Scientists, All Other (mean $100,440). Specialty paths: research → 19-1042 Med Sci; microbiology → 19-1022; marine/wildlife → 19-1023.
Annual median review, October 27, 2026: The stored BLS occupation includes a broader population than this specialty, title, or credential. No separate annual median for this role has been verified in the reviewed source, so the broader occupation median is not presented as its own. Sources: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_stru.htm . Existing employment and projection figures were not refreshed.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
In wildlife biology, study animals, their behavior, and how habitats and human activity affect them. [1]
Wildlife biologists work in offices, laboratories, and outdoor field sites, sometimes remote. [1]
Field seasons and research projects may require travel or irregular hours. [1]
Field conditions, travel, careful data collection, and research uncertainty require persistence. [1]
Higher-level wildlife research commonly requires a master’s; leading independent research typically requires a Ph.D. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.