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Average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $105,920. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $72,940, reflecting the high demand and specialized nature of these roles within this dynamic metropolitan region. Factors such as the concentration of research institutions, conservation organizations, and a robust economy likely contribute to this elevated compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $105,920 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $162,200.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, while not exceptionally concentrated with a Location Quotient of 1.0, supports a dedicated workforce of 260 professionals. The presence of this established workforce suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these specialized skills within the region. The number of jobs per 1,000 workers (0.109) indicates a niche but consistent employment landscape.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$105,920

The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earns+45.2%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$50.9

Weekly

$2,037

Monthly

$8,827

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Career progression for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, typically correlates with experience, leading to significant salary increases. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized expertise and leadership roles can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries clearly signifies substantial career advancement opportunities and earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$63,000$30.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$79,440$38.2
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$97,810$47
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$132,400$63.7
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$162,200$78

Detailed Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$105,920

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$105,920

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $105,920 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the gross income is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively on par with the national average. Therefore, while the salary appears high, the cost of living in this desirable metropolitan area offsets the nominal gain, making it neither exceptionally advantageous nor disadvantageous from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

260

Total Jobs

0.109

Per 1K Jobs

1

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.00, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.0, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA market for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists is neither over- nor under-represented compared to the national average. This suggests a balanced job market where demand and supply are relatively stable. While not a hotspot for this profession in terms of concentration, the presence of 260 professionals indicates a consistent need for these specialized skills within the region's scientific and environmental sectors.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Comparing salaries near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Hiring Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

The median annual salary for a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $105,920. This typically ranges from $63,000 for entry-level positions to $162,200 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 45.2% higher than the national median of $72,940.

Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a lucrative place for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.The average salary of $105,920 significantly exceeds the national average, and while the cost of living is also at the national average, the higher nominal income provides strong earning potential.

Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a good place to live for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?

The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($97,290) and Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA.

What is the average salary for a Zoologist in San Francisco?

The average annual salary for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $105,920.

How does the San Francisco salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in San Francisco ($105,920) is substantially higher than the national average salary of $72,940 for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.

What is the cost of living in San Francisco compared to the national average?

The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100, which is exactly the national average.

How many Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists work in the San Francisco area?

There are approximately 260 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 260 employees in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area with a job density of 0.109 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.