Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Summary

What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Do About this section

Marine biologists study fish and other wildlife that inhabit the oceans.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems. They focus primarily on undomesticated animals and their behavior, as well as on the impact humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.

Duties

Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically do the following:

• Develop and conduct experimental studies with animals in controlled or natural surroundings
• Collect and analyze specimens and other biological data
• Study the characteristics of animals, such as their reproduction, interactions with other species, diseases, and movement patterns
• Research, initiate, and maintain breeding programs that support game animals, endangered species, or other terrestrial or aquatic wildlife
• Estimate, monitor, and manage wildlife populations and invasive species
• Analyze how human activity influences wildlife and their natural habitats
• Develop and implement programs to prevent harm to wildlife from human activities, including farming and aircraft operations
• Write research papers, reports, and other documents that explain their findings
• Present research findings to academics, policymakers, and the public
• Develop conservation plans and recommend action related to wildlife conservation and management

Zoologists’ and wildlife biologists’ study of animals includes conducting scientific tests and experiments, such as taking blood samples to assess an animal’s health, and researching their habitats. Although the roles of zoologists and wildlife biologists often overlap, zoologists typically research certain types of animals, such as birds, whereas wildlife biologists study specific ecosystems or animal populations, such as an at-risk species.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists use geographic information systems (GIS), modeling software, and other technology for a variety of purposes. For example, they may use technology to estimate wildlife populations, track animal movement, forecast the spread of invasive species or diseases, and assess potential threats to habitats.

Zoologists generally specialize in either vertebrates or invertebrates for an individual species. Following are some examples of specialization by species:

• Cetologists study marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins.
• Entomologists study insects, such as beetles and butterflies.
• Herpetologists study reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes and frogs.
• Ichthyologists study wild fish, such as sharks and lungfish.
• Malacologists study mollusks, such as snails and clams.
• Mammalogists study mammals, such as monkeys and bears.
• Ornithologists study birds, such as hawks and penguins.
• Teuthologists study cephalopods, such as octopuses and cuttlefish.

Other zoologists and wildlife biologists specialize in a particular field of study, such as evolution or animal behavior. Following are some examples of specialization by field of study:

• Anatomy is the study of structure of organisms and their parts.
• Embryology is the study of the development of embryos and fetuses.
• Ethology, sometimes called behavioral ecology, is the study of animal behaviors as natural or adaptive traits.
• Histology, or microscopic anatomy, is the study of cells and tissues in plants and animals.
• Physiology is the study of the normal function of living systems.
• Soil zoology is the study of animals which live fully or partially in the soil.
• Teratology is the study of abnormal physiological development.
• Zoography is the study of descriptive zoology and describes plants and animals.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists are often part of a team of scientists and technicians working on conservation efforts. For example, zoologists and wildlife biologists may work with environmental scientists and hydrologists to monitor water pollution and its effects on fish populations.

Work Environment About this section

Fieldwork can require zoologists and wildlife biologists to travel to remote locations anywhere in the world.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists held about 18,800 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of zoologists and wildlife biologists were as follows:

Zoologists and wildlife biologists work in a variety of settings, including offices and laboratories. Depending on their job, they may spend time outdoors, gathering data and studying animals in their natural habitats.

Fieldwork may require zoologists and wildlife biologists to travel to remote locations for long periods. For example, cetologists studying whale populations may spend months at sea; herpetologists researching snakes may spend significant time in deserts or forests.

Fieldwork can be physically demanding, especially for zoologists and wildlife biologists whose research involves working outdoors in all types of weather.

Injuries and Illnesses

Some zoologists and wildlife biologists handle wild animals or spend significant time outdoors in difficult terrain or in extreme temperatures. To avoid injury or illness, they must use caution when handling wildlife or working under challenging circumstances.

Work Schedules

Most zoologists and wildlife biologists work full time. They may have irregular schedules, especially when doing fieldwork. Zoologists and wildlife biologists who work with nocturnal animals may need to work at night.

How to Become a Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist About this section

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study specimens collected in the field.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically need a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions and may need a master’s degree for higher level jobs. They typically need a Ph.D. to lead research projects.

Education

Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Students may pursue a degree in zoology, wildlife biology, or a related field, such as natural resources. Some students major in biology and take coursework in zoology and wildlife biology.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically need at least a master’s degree for higher level positions and a Ph.D. for independent research positions.

Coursework in undergraduate and graduate-level science programs often includes academic, laboratory, and field work. In addition, students may need to take mathematics and statistics to learn data analysis.

Zoology and wildlife biology students may gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or other employment during college.

Other Experience

Some zoologists and wildlife biologists need outdoor skills to work in remote locations. For example, they may need to be comfortable driving a tractor, boat, or all-terrain vehicle (ATV); using a generator; or providing for themselves.

Advancement

Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically take on greater responsibility and independence in their work as they gain experience or have more education. For example, zoologists and wildlife biologists with a Ph.D. may lead independent research and control the direction and content of projects.

Important Qualities

Attention to detail. Zoologists and wildlife biologists must be able to notice changes in an animal’s behavior or appearance.

Communication skills. Zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences.

Critical-thinking skills. Zoologists and wildlife biologists need sound reasoning and judgment to draw conclusions from their experiments and observations.

Interpersonal skills. Zoologists and wildlife biologists typically work on teams and must be able to work effectively with others.

Outdoor skills. Zoologists and wildlife biologists may need to navigate rough terrain, carry heavy equipment for long distances, or perform other activities associated with living in remote areas.

Problem-solving skills. Zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists was $72,860 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,350.

In May 2024, the median annual wages for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most zoologists and wildlife biologists work full time. They may have irregular schedules, especially when doing fieldwork.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 1,500 openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Some zoologists and wildlife biologists are expected to be needed to help combat the loss of biodiversity caused by human activities, as well as to research climate-driven ecosystem changes. These workers also may be needed to develop and implement conservation plans to reduce threats to animals and protect natural resources. However, demand for zoologists and wildlife biologists may be limited by budgetary constraints, as jobs and funding for these workers often come from state, federal, and local governments.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about zoologists and wildlife biologists, visit

American Ornithological Society (AOS)

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)

American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

MarineBio

The Wildlife Society (TWS)

Zoological Association of America (ZAA)

For information about topics related to zoology and wildlife biology, visit

National Park Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

To find job openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the federal government, visit

USAJOBS

CareerOneStop

For a career video on zoologists and wildlife biologists, visit

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists