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Average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Yes, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is a highly lucrative market for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss. With an average annual salary of $102,320, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $102,320 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $170,740.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 180 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$102,320

The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earns+40.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$49.2

Weekly

$1,968

Monthly

$8,527

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary Distribution in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

The earning potential for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.8x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $61,420, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $170,740.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$61,420$29.5
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$76,740$36.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$93,640$45
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$127,900$61.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$170,740$82.1

Detailed Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$102,320

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$102,320

Adjusted for COL (100)

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $102,320 to $102,320.

Job Market Context

180

Total Jobs

0.119

Per 1K Jobs

1.08

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.08, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists roles compared to the national norm.

180 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.

Only 0.119 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Comparing salaries near San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Hiring Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The median annual salary for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $102,320. This typically ranges from $61,420 for entry-level positions to $170,740 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is 40.3% higher than the national median of $72,940.

Is San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA a good place for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss?

Yes, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is financially attractive for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss. The average salary of $102,320 exceeds the national average. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA a good place to live for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

The Cost of Living Index in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($70,570) and others.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 180 employees in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area with a job density of 0.119 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.