Wildlife biologist vs wildlife health specialist

The differences between wildlife biologists and wildlife health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a wildlife biologist and a wildlife health specialist. Additionally, a wildlife biologist has an average salary of $51,084, which is higher than the $44,267 average annual salary of a wildlife health specialist.

The top three skills for a wildlife biologist include USDA, wildlife species and GIS. The most important skills for a wildlife health specialist are ladders, GPS, and wild animals.

Wildlife biologist vs wildlife health specialist overview

	Wildlife Biologist	Wildlife Health Specialist
Yearly salary	$51,084	$44,267
Hourly rate	$24.56	$21.28
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	5,376	52,222
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Wildlife biologist vs wildlife health specialist salary

Wildlife biologists and wildlife health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wildlife Biologist	Wildlife Health Specialist
Average salary	$51,084	$44,267
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $75,000	Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	Escondido, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Idaho National Lab	Rollins
Best paying industry	Technology	Professional

Differences between wildlife biologist and wildlife health specialist education

There are a few differences between a wildlife biologist and a wildlife health specialist in terms of educational background:

	Wildlife Biologist	Wildlife Health Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of California - Davis	University of California - Davis

Wildlife biologist vs wildlife health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between wildlife biologists' and wildlife health specialists' demographics:

	Wildlife Biologist	Wildlife Health Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2%	Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between wildlife biologist and wildlife health specialist duties and responsibilities

Wildlife biologist example responsibilities.

Utilize ArcGIS to create navigational maps, as well as uploading, managing and analyzing data for habitat suitability.
Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
Perform nuisance wildlife removal for animals such as squirrels, bats, raccoons, opossums, snakes, and skunks.
Complete regulatory compliance and permitting documentation for projects requiring ESA consultations including preparation of biological opinions.
Assist with prescribe burns on DNR land.
Supervise and participate in the annual raptor nest survey.

Wildlife health specialist example responsibilities.

Utilize ArcGIS to create navigational maps, as well as uploading, managing and analyzing data for habitat suitability.
Volunteer weekly and gain experience that aid in obtaining a state license in wildlife rehabilitation.
Prepare the database and used ArcView GIS to prepare maps.
Utilize GPS receivers to map plot locations for wildlife census work.
Test water pH and conductivity, conduct water sampling with the EPA.
Trap types consist of havahearts, foot holds, snares and body catches.

Wildlife biologist vs wildlife health specialist skills

Common wildlife biologist skills

USDA, 13%
Wildlife Species, 9%
GIS, 7%
Harvest, 6%
GPS, 5%
Natural Resources, 5%

Common wildlife health specialist skills

Ladders, 27%
GPS, 12%
Wild Animals, 10%
GIS, 10%
Natural Resources, 8%
Management Practices, 6%

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Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Biologist vs Wildlife Health Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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