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Wildlife health specialists play a crucial role in preserving environmental balance by monitoring and managing wildlife health. The average salary for a wildlife health specialist stands at $44,267 per year, translating to approximately $21 per hour. Factors influencing salary include geographical location, years of experience, and specific job duties.
For instance, professionals in states such as California and Texas often earn higher than the national average due to higher living costs and demand for wildlife management. Additionally, urban areas may offer more competitive salaries than rural locations.
Career advancement opportunities are available in various fields, including research, conservation, and veterinary services. As you explore potential paths in this sector, consider how your skills align with the needs of wildlife health organizations.
As you gain experience and specialize in certain aspects of wildlife health, salaries can increase significantly. Engaging in continued education and certifications can also enhance your earning potential. Pursuing roles in management or research can lead to salaries exceeding $60,000 annually.
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The average wildlife health specialist salary in Alaska, Maryland, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average wildlife health specialist salary states are North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | $51,125 | $24.58 |
| 2 | Alaska | $66,509 | $31.98 |
| 3 | Maryland | $54,712 | $26.30 |
| 4 | Vermont | $49,664 | $23.88 |
| 5 | California | $54,072 | $26.00 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $51,194 | $24.61 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $51,273 | $24.65 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $51,134 | $24.58 |
| 9 | Maine | $52,056 | $25.03 |
| 10 | Missouri | $48,877 | $23.50 |
| 11 | Oregon | $53,185 | $25.57 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $48,511 | $23.32 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $48,315 | $23.23 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $50,763 | $24.41 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $48,986 | $23.55 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $50,433 | $24.25 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $46,943 | $22.57 |
| 18 | Washington | $51,119 | $24.58 |
| 19 | Indiana | $43,899 | $21.11 |
| 20 | New York | $51,409 | $24.72 |
| 21 | Idaho | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| 22 | Utah | $47,574 | $22.87 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $45,726 | $21.98 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $50,811 | $24.43 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $44,666 | $21.47 |
| 26 | Virginia | $47,468 | $22.82 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $51,133 | $24.58 |
| 28 | Delaware | $47,617 | $22.89 |
| 29 | Montana | $46,867 | $22.53 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $42,021 | $20.20 |
| 31 | Arizona | $41,196 | $19.81 |
| 32 | Colorado | $45,964 | $22.10 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $45,499 | $21.87 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $39,186 | $18.84 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $39,482 | $18.98 |
| 36 | Texas | $42,314 | $20.34 |
| 37 | Nevada | $42,757 | $20.56 |
| 38 | Iowa | $39,521 | $19.00 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $43,306 | $20.82 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $38,387 | $18.46 |
| 41 | Alabama | $38,205 | $18.37 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $30,681 | $14.75 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $31,094 | $14.95 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $35,812 | $17.22 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $36,318 | $17.46 |
| 46 | Kansas | $38,113 | $18.32 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $27,935 | $13.43 |
| 48 | Illinois | $41,047 | $19.73 |
| 49 | Florida | $27,503 | $13.22 |
| 50 | Michigan | $35,861 | $17.24 |
| 51 | Georgia | $30,857 | $14.84 |
The highest-paying cities for wildlife health specialists are Escondido, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Yuma, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Escondido, CA | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $42,406 | $20.39 |
| 3 | Yuma, AZ | $41,828 | $20.11 |
| 4 | Madison, WI | $38,739 | $18.62 |
| 5 | Sanford, NC | $35,991 | $17.30 |
| 6 | Sanford, FL | $27,354 | $13.15 |
A wildlife health specialist's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $44,267 | $3,689 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of wildlife health specialists are forest service wildlife program leader, marine scientist, and wildlife division manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisheries Biologist | $47,758 | $3,980 | $22.96 | 3,648 |
| Ecologist | $50,369 | $4,197 | $24.22 | 7,026 |
| Marine Biologist | $54,008 | $4,501 | $25.97 | 17,273 |
| Fish And Wildlife Biologist | $52,402 | $4,367 | $25.19 | 7,349 |
| Wildlife Biologist | $51,084 | $4,257 | $24.56 | 5,376 |
Top companies hiring wildlife health specialists now:
Wildlife health specialist salaries at Rollins and Minnesota State Fair are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average wildlife health specialist salary at companies like Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza and Arizona Game and Fish Department are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rollins | $50,906 | $24.47 |
| 2 | Minnesota State Fair | $50,738 | $24.39 |
| 3 | Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza | $48,633 | $23.38 |
| 4 | Arizona Game and Fish Department | $47,766 | $22.96 |
| 5 | CSKT Tribal Health | $38,537 | $18.53 |
| 6 | Caesars Entertainment | $38,477 | $18.50 |
| 7 | San Diego Humane Society | $37,928 | $18.23 |
| 8 | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | $36,803 | $17.69 |
| 9 | State Of South Dakota | $36,769 | $17.68 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | $36,723 | $17.66 |
| 11 | State of Arizona | $35,379 | $17.01 |
The average wildlife health specialist salary has risen by $5,958 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average wildlife health specialist earned $38,309 annually, but today, they earn $44,267 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for wildlife health specialists over the last decade.
Compare wildlife health specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare wildlife health specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,300 | $21.28 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $42,200 | $20.29 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | $42,300 | $20.34 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $41,600 | $19.98 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $40,400 | $19.41 | +1.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of South Dakota | Wildlife Damage Specialist | Mitchell, SD | 06/30/2025 | $47,959 |
| RNA Rentokil North America | Wildlife Specialist | Troy, MI | 06/28/2025 | $27,131 |
| Confederated Tribes and Bands of The Yakama Nation | Wildlife Realty Specialist III | Toppenish, WA | 06/28/2025 | $48,585 |
| Yakama Nation Tribal School | Wildlife Realty Specialist III | Toppenish, WA | 06/28/2025 | $48,585 |
| Pestban, Inc. | Wildlife Professional | Woodstock, GA | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Rentokil Initial | Wildlife Specialist | Troy, OH | 06/27/2025 | $27,131 |
| Pestban | Wildlife Professional | Woodstock, GA | 06/25/2025 | $39,653 |
| Aza | Primates Wildlife Care Specialist--SAN Diego Zoo | San Diego, CA | 06/20/2025 | $64,801 |
| Orkin, LLC | Wildlife Specialist (Will Train) | Schenectady, NY | 06/12/2025 | $37,566 |
| Orkin, LLC | Seasonal Wildlife Specialist | Saginaw, MI | 05/28/2025 | $37,566 |
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