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Fisheries biologist salary
Average fisheries biologist salary
$47,758
Understanding Fisheries Biologist Salaries
The role of a fisheries biologist involves studying aquatic life forms and implementing conservation strategies. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $47,758 per year, translating to approximately $23 per hour. This salary can differ based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
Salary Variation by State
Fisheries biologist salaries vary widely across the U.S. The top-paying states include:
- California
- Florida
- Texas
In these states, professionals often find more job opportunities and higher compensation rates. Additionally, those with advanced degrees or specialized skills in aquatic ecology may command salaries above the average.
Job Outlook
The demand for fisheries biologists is expected to grow as environmental concerns increase. Job seekers can explore diverse roles in government agencies, non-profits, and private firms. With the right qualifications, candidates can find fulfilling positions that not only pay well but also contribute to the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
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Where can a Fisheries Biologist earn more?
Fisheries biologist salary estimates from across the web
Average fisheries biologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for fisheries biologists are Oregon, Alaska, and Maryland. The lowest average fisheries biologist salary states are Hawaii, Georgia, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for fisheries biologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $59,371 | $28.54 |
| 2 | Maine | $56,217 | $27.03 |
| 3 | Oregon | $60,744 | $29.20 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $55,167 | $26.52 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $51,419 | $24.72 |
| 6 | Maryland | $57,036 | $27.42 |
| 7 | Washington | $56,381 | $27.11 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $53,236 | $25.59 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $55,206 | $26.54 |
| 10 | Vermont | $52,930 | $25.45 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $49,301 | $23.70 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $54,262 | $26.09 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $49,539 | $23.82 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $54,704 | $26.30 |
| 15 | Missouri | $49,031 | $23.57 |
| 16 | Idaho | $49,136 | $23.62 |
| 17 | Ohio | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| 18 | California | $50,485 | $24.27 |
| 19 | New York | $54,758 | $26.33 |
| 20 | Utah | $51,267 | $24.65 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $54,383 | $26.15 |
| 22 | Delaware | $50,159 | $24.11 |
| 23 | Montana | $46,695 | $22.45 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $47,147 | $22.67 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $45,855 | $22.05 |
| 26 | Virginia | $48,094 | $23.12 |
| 27 | Nevada | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $45,257 | $21.76 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $44,977 | $21.62 |
| 31 | Colorado | $47,462 | $22.82 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $47,071 | $22.63 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $40,046 | $19.25 |
| 34 | Arizona | $41,992 | $20.19 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $46,478 | $22.35 |
| 36 | Texas | $44,037 | $21.17 |
| 37 | Indiana | $44,169 | $21.24 |
| 38 | Alabama | $38,824 | $18.67 |
| 39 | Illinois | $41,311 | $19.86 |
| 40 | Iowa | $39,457 | $18.97 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $31,855 | $15.31 |
| 42 | Kansas | $38,325 | $18.43 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $39,246 | $18.87 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| 45 | Michigan | $37,208 | $17.89 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $35,292 | $16.97 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $27,997 | $13.46 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $31,096 | $14.95 |
| 49 | Georgia | $31,295 | $15.05 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $31,152 | $14.98 |
| 51 | Florida | $28,512 | $13.71 |
Highest paying cities for fisheries biologists
The highest-paying cities for fisheries biologists are Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA, and Chelmsford, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $60,191 | $28.94 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $57,015 | $27.41 |
| 3 | Chelmsford, MA | $54,984 | $26.43 |
| 4 | Lewiston, ID | $49,098 | $23.60 |
| 5 | Tyler, TX | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 6 | Raleigh, NC | $36,023 | $17.32 |
| 7 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,771 | $13.83 |
Fisheries biologist salary details
A fisheries biologist's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $71,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a fisheries biologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| Average | $47,758 | $3,980 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying fisheries biologist jobs
The highest paying types of fisheries biologists are forest service wildlife program leader, marine scientist, and wildlife division manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecologist | $50,369 | $4,197 | $24.22 | 7,026 |
| Biologist | $65,158 | $5,430 | $31.33 | 5,741 |
| Wildlife Biologist | $51,084 | $4,257 | $24.56 | 5,376 |
| Fish And Wildlife Biologist | $52,402 | $4,367 | $25.19 | 7,349 |
| Marine Biologist | $54,008 | $4,501 | $25.97 | 17,273 |
Top companies hiring fisheries biologists now:
Which companies pay fisheries biologists the most?
Fisheries biologist salaries at AECOM and Avista are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average fisheries biologist salary at companies like ICF and Resource Environmental Solutions are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AECOM | $69,696 | $33.51 |
| 2 | Avista | $56,039 | $26.94 |
| 3 | ICF | $55,726 | $26.79 |
| 4 | Resource Environmental Solutions | $52,320 | $25.15 |
| 5 | Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission | $51,162 | $24.60 |
| 6 | Environmental Science Associates | $50,831 | $24.44 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State Treasurer | $50,831 | $24.44 |
| 8 | MRAG Americas | $50,823 | $24.43 |
| 9 | State of Connecticut | $43,082 | $20.71 |
| 10 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $34,042 | $16.37 |
| 11 | NC.gov | $32,625 | $15.69 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Fisheries biologist salary trends
The average fisheries biologist salary has risen by $6,428 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average fisheries biologist earned $41,330 annually, but today, they earn $47,758 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for fisheries biologists over the last decade.
Compare fisheries biologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average fisheries biologist salary over time
Compare fisheries biologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Fisheries biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,800 | $22.96 | +4.6% |
| 2025 | $45,500 | $21.89 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | $45,600 | $21.95 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $44,800 | $21.56 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $43,600 | $20.94 | +1.4% |
Recently added fisheries biologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science Associates | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Seattle, WA | 06/27/2025 | $112,084 |
| Neheadstart | Temporary Fisheries Conservation Biologist II | Valentine, NE | 05/25/2025 | $36,523 |
| Cramer Fish Sciences | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Portland, OR | 05/24/2025 | $100,000 |
| Apex Companies | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Seattle, WA | 05/17/2025 | $120,000 |
| State of Nebraska | Temporary Fisheries Conservation Biologist II | Valentine, NE | 05/02/2025 | $36,523 |
| Parametrix, Inc. | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Seattle, WA | 04/28/2025 | $100,000 |
| Environmental Science Associates | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Portland, OR | 04/28/2025 | $112,084 |
| Parametrix, Inc. | Senior Fisheries Biologist | Seattle, WA | 03/28/2025 | $100,000 |
| State of North Carolina | Marine Fisheries Biologist Supervisor | Washington, NC | 03/27/2025 | $62,739 |
| Environmental Science Associates | Principal Fisheries Biologist | Portland, OR | 03/26/2025 | $120,400 |
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