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Average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in Alaska

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Alaska earn an impressive average annual salary of $86,060, significantly surpassing the national average of $72,940. This elevated compensation is largely driven by the state's unique environmental challenges, vast wilderness, and the specialized expertise required to study and conserve its diverse wildlife populations, necessitating higher pay to attract and retain talent in this demanding region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $86,060 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $119,590.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 690 professionals and a robust Location Quotient of 19.48, Alaska demonstrates a substantial concentration of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists relative to the national average. This indicates a strong and enduring demand for these specialized roles within the state, suggesting a stable and potentially growing job market for those in this field.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$86,060

The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Alaska earns+18.0%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$41.4

Weekly

$1,655

Monthly

$7,172

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary Distribution in Alaska

Career progression for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Alaska typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with advanced degrees and extensive fieldwork experience can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, reflecting their accumulated knowledge, specialized skills, and leadership capabilities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$55,660$26.8
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$64,545$31
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$84,640$40.7
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$107,575$51.7
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$119,590$57.5

Detailed Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$86,060

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$67,978

Adjusted for COL (126.6)

While the average annual salary of $86,060 in Alaska is attractive, it's crucial to consider the local Cost of Living Index of 126.6. This means that everyday expenses are approximately 26.6% higher than the national average. Therefore, the purchasing power of an Alaskan zoologist's salary, while high in nominal terms, is somewhat tempered by the increased cost of goods and services within the state.

Job Market Context

690

Total Jobs

2.137

Per 1K Jobs

19.48

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Alaska has 19.5x the national concentration of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Alaska's Location Quotient of 19.48 signifies an exceptionally high concentration of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists compared to the rest of the United States. This suggests a highly specialized and perhaps niche job market, where local expertise is deeply valued and demand significantly outstrips the national average, potentially leading to fewer but more specialized opportunities.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in Alaska?

The median annual salary for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Alaska is $86,060. This typically ranges from $55,660 for entry-level positions to $119,590 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Alaska is 18.0% higher than the national median of $72,940.

Is Alaska a lucrative place for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

Yes, Alaska is a lucrative place for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.The state offers a significantly higher average salary than the national average, coupled with a strong concentration of jobs indicating high demand for these professionals.

Is Alaska a good place to live for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

The Cost of Living Index in Alaska is 126.6. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Alaska job market compare to the national average for Zoologists?

Alaska's job market for Zoologists is exceptionally concentrated, with a Location Quotient of 19.48, meaning there are nearly 20 times more Zoologists per worker than the national average, indicating a very specialized local demand.

What is the average salary for a Zoologist in Alaska?

The average annual salary for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Alaska is $86,060, which is considerably higher than the national average of $72,940.

How does the cost of living in Alaska affect a Zoologist's salary?

Alaska's Cost of Living Index is 126.6, meaning expenses are 26.6% higher than the national average. While the salary is high, the increased cost of living should be factored into the overall financial picture.

What is the total number of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists working in Alaska?

There are approximately 690 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists employed within Alaska, representing a significant local workforce in this specialized field.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 690 employees in the Alaska area with a job density of 2.137 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Alaska