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Top 10 Cities for Zoologists in 2026

As you embark on your zoology career or consider a transition, understanding the best locations for career growth and opportunities is vital. For zoologists, regional variations can significantly influence salary potential and job availability. In 2026, the landscape has evolved, and we’re here to guide you on the best cities that promote flourishing careers for zoologists.

At Zippia, we’ve meticulously analyzed the latest data to identify cities in the U.S. that not only offer competitive salaries for zoologists but also maintain a manageable cost of living and abundant job prospects.

Using insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled this list of the top cities for zoologists, highlighting where they can thrive in both their professional and personal lives:

Logan, UT stands out as the top city for zoologists in 2026, offering the best combination of salary, job availability, and cost of living.

Conversely, zoologists may want to avoid Jacksonville, FL, as it ranks among the lowest for career opportunities in this field.

For a deeper dive into our research methodology and insights on the top ten cities for zoologists, read on!

Methodology: Identifying the Best Cities for Zoologists

At Zippia, we engage with professionals across various fields, gathering valuable insights on career aspirations. Our research indicates that job availability and competitive pay are two primary factors for job seekers.

Job Availability
Salary Potential

To pinpoint the best cities for zoologists, we analyzed data on job availability and salary levels using the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our criteria included:

Location quotient: Indicates how prevalent the zoologist role is in each city.
Average annual salary: The typical salary for zoologists in that area.
Entry-level salary: The expected salary for newly graduated zoologists.

We adjusted all salary figures to account for the cost of living in each state, ensuring a fair comparison across different regions.

Ultimately, we evaluated data from 79 metropolitan areas, identifying the primary urban center to represent each city for this analysis. For example, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” was simplified to Boston.

To create a comprehensive ranking, we scored each city based on our criteria from 1 to 79, with 1 being the highest. The city with the lowest overall Job Score was named the best city for zoologists in America.

Now, let’s explore what makes each of these cities appealing for zoologists!

1. Logan, UT

Total Jobs: 30
Average Annual Salary: $88,160
Average Entry Level Salary: $53,420
Location Quotient: 4.63

2. Silver Spring, MD

Total Jobs: 260
Average Annual Salary: $97,500
Average Entry Level Salary: $69,190
Location Quotient: 3.48

3. Gulfport, MS

Total Jobs: 40
Average Annual Salary: $95,230
Average Entry Level Salary: $74,950
Location Quotient: 2.13

4. Fort Collins, CO

Total Jobs: 90
Average Annual Salary: $79,620
Average Entry Level Salary: $52,850
Location Quotient: 5.0

5. Fairbanks, AK

Total Jobs: 100
Average Annual Salary: $71,520
Average Entry Level Salary: $52,850
Location Quotient: 19.33

6. Bellingham, WA

Total Jobs: 30
Average Annual Salary: $75,860
Average Entry Level Salary: $52,440
Location Quotient: 3.17

7. Seattle, WA

Total Jobs: 720
Average Annual Salary: $82,410
Average Entry Level Salary: $46,250
Location Quotient: 3.6

8. Anchorage, AK

Total Jobs: 210
Average Annual Salary: $72,500
Average Entry Level Salary: $50,940
Location Quotient: 9.3

9. Yakima, WA

Total Jobs: 60
Average Annual Salary: $70,950
Average Entry Level Salary: $48,710
Location Quotient: 5.24

10. Walla Walla, WA

Total Jobs: 40
Average Annual Salary: $67,520
Average Entry Level Salary: $43,390
Location Quotient: 11.4

Conclusion: Top Cities for Zoologists

If you’re starting out or seeking new opportunities as a zoologist, these cities should top your list. You’ll find competitive salaries, a healthy job market, and opportunities for growth in your career.

On the other hand, it’s wise to steer clear of the following cities if you’re a zoologist:

Comprehensive List of Best Cities for Zoologists

Rank	State	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary	# Of People
1	Logan, UT	$88,160	$53,420	30
2	Silver Spring, MD	$97,500	$69,190	260
3	Gulfport, MS	$95,230	$74,950	40
4	Fort Collins, CO	$79,620	$52,850	90
5	Fairbanks, AK	$71,520	$52,850	100
6	Bellingham, WA	$75,860	$52,440	30
7	Seattle, WA	$82,410	$46,250	720
8	Anchorage, AK	$72,500	$50,940	210
9	Yakima, WA	$70,950	$48,710	60
10	Walla Walla, WA	$67,520	$43,390	40
11	Bremerton, WA	$73,780	$46,520	40
12	Lansing, MI	$67,350	$51,900	60
13	Portland, OR	$75,070	$47,720	320
14	Olympia, WA	$62,800	$44,370	260
15	Knoxville, TN	$73,870	$44,590	50
16	Lewiston, ID	$52,890	$44,340	40
17	Providence, RI	$83,040	$56,450	50
18	Reno, NV	$70,540	$50,070	40
19	Spokane, WA	$64,160	$46,350	80
20	Fort Worth, TX	$73,820	$55,930	30
21	Flagstaff, AZ	$59,590	$42,490	80
22	Rapid City, SD	$55,770	$36,390	70
23	Dallas, TX	$72,100	$51,540	40
24	Missoula, MT	$59,930	$35,920	60
25	Boise City, ID	$62,380	$31,770	210
26	Corvallis, OR	$63,930	$37,510	140
27	Newark, NJ	$79,190	$54,560	40
28	Bangor, ME	$57,690	$41,910	70
29	Miami, FL	$78,830	$41,990	100
30	Mount Vernon, WA	$55,170	$41,580	60
31	Urban Honolulu, HI	$79,630	$47,830	120
32	Colorado Springs, CO	$64,830	$50,840	30
33	Albuquerque, NM	$62,720	$40,260	40
34	Chicago, IL	$68,810	$50,010	120
35	Raleigh, NC	$67,010	$38,510	80
36	Duluth, MN	$56,490	$42,610	70
37	Boulder, CO	$65,510	$39,940	90
38	Burlington, VT	$57,020	$42,930	40
39	Santa Rosa, CA	$80,410	$38,080	30
40	Austin, TX	$62,670	$42,150	30
41	Tucson, AZ	$64,360	$38,680	60
42	Oakland, CA	$68,710	$46,990	130
43	Las Vegas, NV	$69,030	$43,180	50
44	San Rafael, CA	$63,430	$41,580	70
45	Denver, CO	$66,830	$42,080	160
46	Provo, UT	$49,450	$40,400	40
47	San Diego, CA	$67,650	$40,890	480
48	Charleston, SC	$56,530	$34,050	70
49	Sacramento, CA	$65,960	$43,940	210
50	Salt Lake City, UT	$57,270	$40,000	50
51	Gainesville, FL	$54,840	$33,980	110
52	St. Louis, MO	$59,230	$35,880	80
53	Minneapolis, MN	$57,830	$39,990	280
54	Ithaca, NY	$60,790	$37,960	40
55	Columbus, OH	$56,370	$36,280	40
56	Houston, TX	$76,100	$30,680	80
57	Richmond, VA	$59,990	$46,040	30
58	Worcester, MA	$64,340	$46,610	30
59	Little Rock, AR	$44,510	$37,050	40
60	Tallahassee, FL	$48,520	$33,930	130
61	Columbia, SC	$52,900	$36,260	30
62	Boston, MA	$79,480	$42,950	60
63	Baltimore, MD	$81,710	$35,660	60
64	Nassau County, NY	$73,750	$44,390	60
65	Phoenix, AZ	$60,000	$38,320	160
66	Sebring, FL	$41,300	$31,760	30
67	Harrisburg, PA	$50,630	$34,490	70
68	Madison, WI	$50,500	$33,110	120
69	Wilmington, NC	$49,780	$31,600	30
70	Tampa, FL	$50,760	$32,120	510
71	Jackson, MS	$47,220	$31,460	40
72	New York, NY	$69,030	$43,670	130
73	Virginia Beach, VA	$50,890	$32,670	140
74	Atlanta, GA	$50,290	$30,370	200
75	Fort Lauderdale, FL	$54,640	$33,250	50
76	Bakersfield, CA	$48,320	$31,740	50
77	West Palm Beach, FL	$47,440	$31,310	60
78	Oklahoma City, OK	$43,780	$16,790	50
79	Jacksonville, FL	$50,990	$30,370	40

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Best Cities For Zoologists