SOC 19-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Lakeland, FL is $50,000 per year, substantially below the national median of $76,780 — a gap of 34.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Lakeland, FL is $50,000 per year, substantially below the national median of $76,780 — a gap of 34.9%. Pay ranges from under $41,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $66,910 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,540 to $56,470.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Orlando leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $68,200. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 222nd of 429 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,200 | −46.3% |
| 25th | $45,540 | −40.7% |
| Median (50th) | $50,000 | −34.9% |
| 75th | $56,470 | −26.5% |
| 90th | $66,910 | −12.9% |
| Mean | $52,760 | −31.3% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando | $68,200 | 50 | |
| 2 | Naples | $57,240 | — | |
| 3 | Gainesville | $55,790 | 110 | |
| 4 | Tampa | $55,050 | 300 | |
| 5 | Panama City | $54,750 | 30 | |
| 6 | Miami | $53,230 | 240 | |
| 7 | Tallahassee | $52,060 | 110 | |
| 8 | Palm Bay | $49,920 | 40 | |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $48,110 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $50,000 buys what $48,356 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 37.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,356US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,000 a year, 34.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,200 to $66,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Orlando, at $68,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $50,000, or $24.04 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 Lakeland, FL is 34.9% lower. 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 Lakeland, FL earns more than $66,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,200 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 Orlando, at $68,200 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. 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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