Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
SOC Code: 19-1023 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $72,821 | $96,574 | $120,328 | $144,082 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $67,683 | $90,750 | $113,818 | $136,885 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $64,709 | $87,298 | $109,886 | $132,475 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $66,560 | $87,693 | $108,846 | $129,979 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,251 | $84,989 | $105,706 | $126,443 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $63,190 | $83,970 | $104,749 | $125,528 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $63,086 | $83,845 | $104,624 | $125,382 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $64,397 | $83,262 | $102,128 | $120,994 |
| Vallejo, CA | $62,858 | $81,910 | $100,942 | $119,995 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,062 | $74,568 | $97,053 | $119,558 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | 12 | $67,653 |
| Oregon State University | 9 | $63,244 |
| Research Foundation for the State University of New York | 8 | $78,350 |
| Zoological Society of San Diego | 8 | $88,003 |
| Cornell University | 7 | $72,376 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 5 | $64,053 |
| THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | 5 | $67,784 |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | 4 | $59,783 |
| Auburn University | 3 | $60,652 |
| Smithsonian Institution | 3 | $93,374 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 | $62,582 |
| 2021 | 16 | $60,655 |
| 2022 | 8 | $64,179 |
| 2023 | 22 | $72,846 |
| 2024 | 59 | $70,543 |
| 2025 | 54 | $76,277 |
| 2026 | 7 | $71,287 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Science | 3.9 | |
| Writing | 3.9 | |
| Coordination | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Biology | 4.8 |
| English Language | 3.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
| Geography | 3.4 |
| Law and Government | 3.3 |
| Administration and Management | 3.3 |
| Communications and Media | 3.0 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 57.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.0% |
| Other | 2.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
- Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
ESRI ArcGIS software Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word Python R SAS Salesforce software Computer modeling software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
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