SOC 19-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists — Denver
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $80,540 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $76,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $80,540 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $76,780. Half of workers earn between $66,750 and $96,890. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $57,710 and the ninetieth at $124,890.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.87 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Grand Junction leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $84,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 210th of 648 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,710 | −24.8% |
| 25th | $66,750 | −13.1% |
| Median (50th) | $80,540 | +4.9% |
| 75th | $96,890 | +26.2% |
| 90th | $124,890 | +62.7% |
| Mean | $86,220 | +12.3% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Junction | $84,360 | 30 | |
| 2 | Fort Collins | $84,240 | 140 | |
| 3 | Boulder | $83,300 | 130 | |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $72,860 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Denver run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $80,540 buys what $78,118 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$80,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,118US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,540 a year, 4.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,710 to $124,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Junction, at $84,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Denver, CO?
The median annual wage is $80,540, or $38.72 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,780, so pay in Denver, CO is 4.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Denver, CO earns more than $124,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,710 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Grand Junction, at $84,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Denver, CO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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