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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
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.
Other titles employers use
Aquatic Biologist · Conservation Biologist · Fish and Wildlife Biologist · Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist · Fisheries Biologist · Forest Wildlife Biologist · Habitat Biologist · Wildlife Biologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Biology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Geography
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.3 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.9 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 57%
- A master's degree 40%
- A doctorate or professional degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Geographic information system
- Data base user interface and query software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Web platform development software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,450
- Job openings each year
- 250
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 2,450 | 250 | 21.3% |
| California | 1,800 | 140 | 12.5% |
| Florida | 1,560 | 120 | 4.7% |
| Colorado | 1,170 | 100 | 15.8% |
| Oregon | 1,020 | 80 | 8.5% |
| Alaska | 920 | 70 | 3.4% |
| Minnesota | 650 | 50 | 3.2% |
| Idaho | 580 | 50 | 9.4% |
| New York | 570 | 10 | 18.8% |
| Wisconsin | 530 | 40 | 8.2% |
| Alabama | 460 | 40 | 7.0% |
| North Carolina | 440 | 30 | 7.3% |
| South Carolina | 420 | 30 | 10.5% |
| Montana | 390 | 30 | 11.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 370 | 30 | 5.7% |
| Maryland | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Wyoming | 320 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Utah | 310 | 20 | 6.9% |
| Virginia | 310 | 20 | 6.9% |
| Maine | 300 | 20 | — |
| Illinois | 280 | 20 | — |
| Texas | 270 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Michigan | 260 | 20 | — |
| Georgia | 250 | 20 | — |
| Mississippi | 250 | 20 | 8.7% |
| Arizona | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 220 | 20 | — |
| Massachusetts | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| South Dakota | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Kansas | 190 | 10 | 5.6% |
| Nevada | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Mexico | 150 | 10 | — |
| Indiana | 140 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Kentucky | 140 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Tennessee | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Oklahoma | 110 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 100 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 90 | 10 | — |
| Connecticut | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Vermont | 70 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Degrees each year
- 322
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
- Degrees each year
- 228
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
University of Connecticut
- Degrees each year
- 167
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Michigan State University
- Degrees each year
- 222
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Ohio University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 154
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
University of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 194
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Brigham Young University
- Degrees each year
- 165
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Eckerd College
- Degrees each year
- 146
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $34,000