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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in West Virginia

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in West Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in West Virginia? Here’s what the data says. Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

What do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Make in West Virginia?

The zoologists and wildlife biologists working in West Virginia, the typical annual salary is $73,780 per year (or roughly $35.47/hour).Annual wages span from $54,200 at the 10th percentile to $109,120 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $54,200 $26.06
25th percentile $59,950 $28.82
Median (50th) $73,780 $35.47
75th percentile $81,510 $39.19
90th percentile $109,120 $52.46
Salary ranges for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in West Virginia

The job concentration index in West Virginia nationwide is 1.36, indicating that zoologists and wildlife biologists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, zoologists and wildlife biologists earn a median of $55,554 per year ($26.71/hour), exceeding the West Virginia median.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earnings in West Virginia vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 161,149 zoologists and wildlife biologists nationwide. In West Virginia alone, around 100 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 210 zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in West Virginia vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Top States for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Employment

View the states that employ the most zoologists and wildlife biologists work.

State Number Employed
Washington 1,800
California 1,580
Florida 1,210
Oregon 970
Colorado 780
Alaska 690
Texas 550
Minnesota 490
Arizona 410
Wisconsin 400
Wyoming 400
Montana 370
Virginia 370
Utah 350
North Carolina 350
Michigan 320
Massachusetts 320
Ohio 310
Idaho 310
Alabama 310

Highest-Paying States for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

The highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

State Annual Median Salary
Rhode Island $97,050
Massachusetts $88,550
Mississippi $87,050
Louisiana $85,840
Oregon $85,150
Alaska $84,640
California $82,620
Maryland $82,600
North Dakota $82,150
Washington $82,050

Skills

The most important zoologists and wildlife biologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  4.0 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Biology  4.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.8 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  3.7 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.4 / 5
0
5
Geography  3.4 / 5
0
5
Law and Government  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for zoologists and wildlife biologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, zoologists and wildlife biologists typically:

  • Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  • Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  • Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
  • Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
  • Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
  • Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
  • Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
  • Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
  • Conduct literature reviews.
  • Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
  • Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.

Work Activities

  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Processing Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Ecology & Systematics Biology
  • Zoology
  • Wildlife Management
  • Marine Science

Related occupations to zoologists and wildlife biologists include:

Also Known As

Animal Behaviorist, Animal Biologist, Aquarist, Aquatic Biologist, Behaviorist, Cell Biologist, Conservation Biologist, Cryptozoologist, Dolphin Researcher, Entomologist, Ethologist, Field Naturalist, Fish Biologist, Fish Conservationist, Fish Culturist.

References

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