Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
• Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
• Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
• Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
• 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.
• Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.

A Day in the Life

Field-oriented wildlife biologists may spend days conducting population surveys—setting traps, deploying camera traps, recording nest locations, or collecting biological samples—in environments ranging from Alaskan tundra to tropical rainforests. Data collection is meticulous, following standardized protocols that ensure comparability across sites and time periods. Laboratory days involve processing samples, entering data, running statistical analyses, and writing reports documenting findings. Zoologists in academic or research settings design experiments, apply for grant funding, mentor students, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. Wildlife managers in government agencies spend time reviewing permits, consulting with landowners and industry, and developing conservation plans. All roles involve extensive documentation and professional communication.

Work Environment

Wildlife biologists and zoologists experience highly variable working environments depending on their specialization and employer. Field biologists work outdoors in diverse and sometimes extreme environments—wetlands, deserts, forests, and arctic landscapes—often for extended periods at remote field stations. Fieldwork involves physical challenges including hiking with heavy equipment, primitive camping conditions, insect exposure, and encounters with potentially dangerous wildlife. Laboratory researchers work in office and lab settings with standard indoor conditions. Academic zoologists balance fieldwork, laboratory research, teaching, and administrative duties across semesters. Conservation managers in government agencies work from offices with regular field visits for monitoring and permit compliance oversight.

Career Path & Advancement

A bachelor's degree in zoology, wildlife biology, ecology, or a closely related biological science is the minimum entry level. Entry positions include wildlife technician or research assistant roles supporting more senior scientists in fieldwork and laboratory analysis. A master's degree significantly expands career options and is typically required for independent research and management positions in government agencies. A PhD is expected for tenure-track faculty positions and leading independent research programs. Government agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies, and the National Park Service are major employers, as are universities, nonprofits, zoos, and consulting firms serving environmental assessment needs.

Specializations

Wildlife ecologists study the interactions between animal populations and their ecosystems, including predator-prey dynamics, habitat requirements, and responses to environmental change—findings that directly inform conservation management decisions. Herpetologists, ornithologists, mammalogists, and entomologists focus their expertise on specific taxonomic groups, developing deep knowledge of particular animal groups that informs their research and management recommendations. Conservation geneticists apply molecular biology tools to wildlife management challenges, assessing genetic diversity in small populations, identifying subspecies boundaries, and informing breeding program decisions for captive species. Marine mammal scientists specialize in cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians, conducting research that addresses oceanography, acoustic communication, and the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

Climate change is reshaping wildlife biology as scientists document accelerating species range shifts, phenological changes, and population declines across taxa—and attempt to develop management strategies to improve wildlife resilience. Genomic and remote sensing technologies are transforming data collection and analysis, enabling research at scales previously impossible. Federal employment opportunities have fluctuated with political and budget cycles, while the consulting sector serving environmental impact assessment needs has shown more stable demand. Environmental and conservation nonprofits have grown as philanthropic support for conservation science increases. Interdisciplinary approaches combining biology with economics, social science, and policy are increasingly important for addressing complex wildlife conservation challenges.