Research Wildlife Biologist

Also called: Research Ecologist

Leads scientific studies on wildlife populations, often for the federal government or universities.

A day in the life

Designs a study to find out why monarch butterflies are declining, supervises field crews, crunches years of data, and publishes papers that shape national conservation rules.

Pay over a career

Starting

$80k

Typical

$110k

High

$155k

Estimate; federal GS-12 to GS-14 research positions.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field.

Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Conservation Biology.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years).

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI sorts camera-trap images and acoustic data, shrinking assistant roles; designing studies and fieldwork stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, Computer science.

• Do a wildlife field study for a regional science fair
• Log observations on iNaturalist and eBird
• Join an Envirothon team

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1023.

More Wildlife & Conservation Biology careers

• Wildlife Veterinarian
• Endangered Species Program Manager
• Conservation Organization Director
• Wildlife Biologist
• Fish & Game Warden
• Wildlife Forensic Scientist
• Ornithologist
• Wildlife Refuge Manager
• Wildlife GIS Analyst
• Wildlife Damage Management Specialist
• Wildlife Technician
• Interpretive Park Ranger
• Wildlife Removal Specialist
• Hunting & Fishing Guide
• Wildlife Photographer
• Wildlife Special Agent
• Wildlife Disease Biologist
• Bat Biologist
• Wildlife Capture Specialist
• Camera Trap Technician
• Bear Management Technician
• Game Bird Farmer
• Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling Technician

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.