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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Pennsylvania

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Pennsylvania

Want to work as a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Pennsylvania? Here’s what you need to know. Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

What do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Make in Pennsylvania?

For a zoologists and wildlife biologists working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $70,550 per year (or roughly $33.92/hour).Earnings range from $48,580 at the 10th percentile to $100,420 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $48,580 $23.35
25th percentile $56,570 $27.20
Median (50th) $70,550 $33.92
75th percentile $84,640 $40.69
90th percentile $100,420 $48.28
Salary ranges for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Pennsylvania

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 0.32, suggesting fewer zoologists and wildlife biologists per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn a median of $55,554 per year ($26.71/hour), exceeding the Pennsylvania median.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earnings in Pennsylvania vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 161,149 zoologists and wildlife biologists across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, around 210 people work in this role. That’s right around the typical state median of 210.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Pennsylvania vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Top Pennsylvania Metros for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most zoologists and wildlife biologists in Pennsylvania.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 50 $61,900

Top States for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Employment

View the states that employ the most zoologists and wildlife biologists work.

State Number Employed
Washington 1,800
California 1,580
Florida 1,210
Oregon 970
Colorado 780
Alaska 690
Texas 550
Minnesota 490
Arizona 410
Wisconsin 400
Wyoming 400
Montana 370
Virginia 370
Utah 350
North Carolina 350
Michigan 320
Massachusetts 320
Ohio 310
Idaho 310
Alabama 310

Highest-Paying States for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

The highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

State Annual Median Salary
Rhode Island $97,050
Massachusetts $88,550
Mississippi $87,050
Louisiana $85,840
Oregon $85,150
Alaska $84,640
California $82,620
Maryland $82,600
North Dakota $82,150
Washington $82,050

Skills

Key zoologists and wildlife biologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Complex Problem Solving  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Biology  4.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.8 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  3.7 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.4 / 5
0
5
Geography  3.4 / 5
0
5
Law and Government  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for zoologists and wildlife biologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • 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.
  • Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
  • Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
  • Conduct literature reviews.
  • Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
  • Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.

Work Activities

  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Processing Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Ecology & Systematics Biology
  • Zoology
  • Wildlife Management
  • Marine Science

Careers similar to zoologists and wildlife biologists include:

Also Known As

Animal Behaviorist, Animal Biologist, Aquarist, Aquatic Biologist, Behaviorist, Cell Biologist, Conservation Biologist, Cryptozoologist, Dolphin Researcher, Entomologist, Ethologist, Field Naturalist, Fish Biologist, Fish Conservationist, Fish Culturist.

References

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