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Government wildlife management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals in the wild, in captivity, and in changing habitats to figure out what species need and how populations are doing. The work stands out because it blends field observation, data analysis, writing, and public communication; one day you may be counting wildlife, and the next you may be explaining hunting rules or habitat plans. The main tradeoff is that protecting animals often means working within budgets, regulations, and public debate rather than doing pure research.
Also known as Wildlife BiologistZoologistConservation BiologistWildlife ScientistZoo Biologist
Median Salary
$72,860
Mean $77,920
U.S. Workforce
~17K
1.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.6%
18.2K to 18.5K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~17K workers, with a median annual pay of $72,860 and roughly 1.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 18.2 K in 2024 to 18.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Biological Technician and can progress toward Wildlife Program Manager. High-value skills usually include Wildlife Survey Methods, GPS & GIS Mapping, Population Sampling, Camera Traps & Field Data Collection, and Scientific Research Design & Literature Review, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Observe animals in the field or at a facility and identify which species are present.
- Count plants and wildlife to estimate how populations are changing over time.
- Read scientific studies and other research before making recommendations.
- Work with landowners, agencies, and community groups to build habitat and wildlife management plans that also meet legal requirements.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Observe animals in the field or at a facility and identify which species are present.
02 Count plants and wildlife to estimate how populations are changing over time.
03 Read scientific studies and other research before making recommendations.
04 Work with landowners, agencies, and community groups to build habitat and wildlife management plans that also meet legal requirements.
05 Write reports, research papers, and presentations for scientists, managers, and the public.
06 Answer public questions about wildlife rules and conservation issues, and handle compliance, budgeting, or staff oversight when needed.
Industries That Hire
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Zoos and aquariums
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Bronx Zoo, Georgia Aquarium
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Environmental consulting
AECOM, Tetra Tech, Jacobs
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Research and education
Smithsonian Institution, Cornell University, University of Florida
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Conservation nonprofits
The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a science job that usually starts with a bachelor's degree, with a median of $72,860 and a mean of $77,920.
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The work has visible public impact because it helps protect species, habitats, and wildlife policies.
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The job mixes fieldwork, data analysis, and writing, so it is varied instead of being a pure desk role.
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There are about 1.4K annual openings, which gives steady replacement opportunities even though growth is slow.
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You can work in very different settings, from parks and agencies to zoos, universities, and consulting firms.
Challenges
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Growth is only 1.6% through 2034, so the field is adding just 0.3K jobs and new openings will stay limited.
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The role is small and competitive, with only about 16,920 workers nationwide, so moving up into senior positions can be a bottleneck.
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A master's degree is common at 39.98%, which means a bachelor's degree may not be enough for the more specialized research jobs.
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Fieldwork can mean long days outdoors, travel, bad weather, and sometimes handling animals or working in remote sites.
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A lot of the job depends on government funding, grants, or public budgets, so hiring can be uneven and sometimes delayed.
Career Progression
Biological Technician
0-2 years
$42K-$55K
Entry-level workers help collect samples, record observations, and support field or lab projects under close supervision.
Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist
2-5 years
$63K-$84K
Professionals independently survey wildlife, analyze habitat conditions, write reports, and recommend conservation actions.
Senior Wildlife Biologist THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$85K-$110K
Experienced workers lead studies, manage larger projects, coordinate with agencies or landowners, and review data from junior staff.
Wildlife Program Manager
10+ years
$111K-$140K
At the top end, the work focuses on budgets, policy, staffing, and high-level decisions that shape conservation programs or zoo operations.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree
The BLS typical entry point and the most common pathway, with 57.21% of workers in the O*NET sample holding a bachelor's degree.
Master's degree
A very common path for research-heavy and specialized roles, held by 39.98% of workers in the O*NET sample.
Post-doctoral training
A small specialized path for advanced research jobs, held by 2.8% of workers in the O*NET sample.
Key Skills
Technical
Wildlife Survey Methods, GPS & GIS Mapping 79%
Population Sampling, Camera Traps & Field Data Collection 78%
Scientific Research Design & Literature Review 78%
Excel, R & Statistical Analysis 77%
Animal Capture, Tagging & Telemetry Tools 76%
Environmental Compliance, Permits & Reporting Systems 75%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionSpeaking Job Outlook and Trends
+1.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 18.2K to 18.5 K over the next decade, representing 1.6% growth. Around 1.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.