Ranked list · 18 careers
18 Wildlife Jobs, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)
Airport Wildlife Biologist tops this list at $76,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +3.6% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 18 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 18From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $60,465BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 17 of 18BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 199,400Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Careers studying, protecting and caring for wild animals: wildlife biologists, conservation officers, rehabilitators, zoo and park roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Careers studying, protecting and caring for wild animals: wildlife biologists, conservation officers, rehabilitators, zoo and park roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 18 wildlife jobs
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
1. Airport Wildlife Biologist
Specialty within wildlife biologist
- Median pay
- $76,780median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
A wildlife biologist who reduces bird and wildlife strikes at airports by assessing hazards, managing habitat and training airport staff to control wildlife.
- 2
2. Herpetologist
Specialty within wildlife biologist
- Median pay
- $76,780median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
A biologist who studies reptiles and amphibians, from rattlesnakes and sea turtles to frogs and salamanders, in research, conservation and environmental consulting.
- 3
3. Ornithologist
Specialty within wildlife biologist
- Median pay
- $76,780median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
A biologist who studies birds, including their behavior, migration, populations and habitats, for universities, agencies, conservation groups and environmental consultancies.
- 4
4. Wildlife Biologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $76,780median a year
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife.
- 5
5. Fish and Game Warden
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $74,060median a year
- Growth
- −5.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations.
- 6
6. Taxidermist
Specialty within craft artist
- Median pay
- $46,080median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- No formal credential
Preserves and mounts animals, birds and fish so they look lifelike, for hunters, anglers, museums, nature centers and film productions.
- 7
7. Bird Abatement Falconer
Specialty within animal trainer
- Median pay
- $39,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 6,500
- Education
- High school
Uses trained hawks and falcons to scare nuisance birds away from airports, landfills, farms, vineyards and buildings, under a federal abatement permit.
- 8
8. Wildlife Rehabilitator
Specialty within animal caretaker
- Median pay
- $35,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +12.1%
- Openings / yr
- 62,800
- Education
- High school
Cares for injured, sick and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild, under state and federal permits.
- 9
9. Conservation Scientist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $73,010median a year
- Growth
- +5.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment.
- 10
10. Park Naturalist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $73,010median a year
- Growth
- +5.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
- 11
11. Wildlife Forensic Scientist
Specialty within forensic science technician
- Median pay
- $72,060median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +13.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Analyzes evidence from wildlife crimes, such as poaching and illegal trade in ivory, furs and protected species, to identify animals and support prosecutions.
- 12
12. Zoo Curator
Specialty within curator
- Median pay
- $63,420median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.9%
- Openings / yr
- 1,600
- Education
- Master's
Manages a zoo or aquarium's animal collection, overseeing keepers, animal acquisitions, breeding programs and exhibit planning for a group of species or the whole institution.
- 13
13. Protected Species Observer
Specialty within biological technician
- Median pay
- $57,510median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Watches for whales, dolphins and sea turtles from ships and platforms during offshore construction, seismic surveys and dredging, and orders work to pause when animals come too close.
- 14
14. Conservation Detection Dog Handler
Specialty within animal trainer
- Median pay
- $39,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 6,500
- Education
- High school
Works with trained dogs that sniff out wildlife scat, invasive species, rare plants or contraband wildlife, collecting samples for conservation research and management.
- 15
15. Expedition Leader
Specialty within travel guide
- Median pay
- $38,120median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,900
- Education
- High school
Plans and leads small-group expeditions to remote places such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and wilderness regions, managing logistics, safety, and guest experience.
- 16
16. Fishing Guide
Specialty within travel guide
- Median pay
- $38,120median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,900
- Education
- High school
Takes clients fishing on rivers, lakes, and the ocean, finding fish, teaching technique, and running boats or drift trips safely.
- 17
17. Hunting Guide
Specialty within travel guide
- Median pay
- $38,120median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,900
- Education
- High school
Leads clients on licensed hunts, scouting game, managing camps and pack animals, and making sure hunts follow state wildlife laws.
- 18
18. Animal Caretaker
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $35,360median a year
- Growth
- +12.1%
- Openings / yr
- 62,800
- Education
- High school
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or…
Questions
Wildlife Jobs: FAQ
What is the top career on the wildlife jobs list?
Airport Wildlife Biologist leads the list with a median wage of $76,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +3.6% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.
How was this list put together?
Careers studying, protecting and caring for wild animals: wildlife biologists, conservation officers, rehabilitators, zoo and park roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers studying, protecting and caring for wild animals: wildlife biologists, conservation officers, rehabilitators, zoo and park roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do wildlife jobs pay?
Across the 18 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $60,465 a year, from $35,360 at the bottom to $76,780 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
8 of the 18 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).