Cincinnati Zoo Salary

As of September 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Cincinnati Zoo in the United States is $94,120. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $45. Salaries at Cincinnati Zoo typically range from $82,252 to $107,782 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Cincinnati Zoo Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Cincinnati Zoo. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Executive Director, with an annual salary of $171,983. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Is Cincinnati Zoo’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cincinnati Zoo's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Anti-Racist Action $93,202
-1.0%
Confirms Anti-Racist Action is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
Greenfield Community College $98,001
+4.1%
Supported by Greenfield Community College's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Tulsa District, US Army Corps of Engineers $92,485
-1.7%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
Johnson University $88,877
-5.6%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Johnson University primarily operates.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+22.5%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Cincinnati Zoo

Considering a career at Cincinnati Zoo? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
The work-life balance initiatives are thoughtful and effective. If you're motivated by service and want your work to matter, this is a place where you’ll find fulfillment and support. A highly collaborative workplace with a mission that genuinely inspires. Training opportunities are consistently offered.
A decent choice for those who prefer routine over change. Guided us through complex regulations effortlessly. Flexible schedules and wellness programs support a balanced work-life experience. The emphasis on mentorship here is fantastic, especially for newer employees. It’s a quiet, uneventful place to work that won’t surprise you—positively or negatively. This organization invests heavily in empl...
The work is meaningful, and there’s a shared commitment to excellence throughout all departments and levels of staff. A true example of professionalism in public service. Training is available, but it's largely self-directed. Very easy to work with at every level. Environment is professional, and it is dynamic.

Cincinnati Zoo Overview

Website
www.cincinnatizoo.org
Founded In
1875
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
3400 Vine St Cincinnati Ohio OH 45220
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 5132814700
Social Media
About Cincinnati Zoo
The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It was voted the #1 Best Zoo in a USA TODAY reader poll and has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today and TripAdvisor. Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo's award-winning habitats, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annua

What Benefits Does Cincinnati Zoo Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Cincinnati Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Cincinnati?

Understanding the cost of living near Cincinnati is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cincinnati Zoo.
Cincinnati's Cost of Living Index is approximately 85.3 (14.7% less expensive than US average; 6.1% less than OH average). SW OH city, affordable housing. Metro bus, Connector streetcar (free). When planning your budget based on a salary from Cincinnati Zoo, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $950 - $1,400+ A significant portion of Cincinnati Zoo salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $70 (Metro monthly pass, Connector free) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $380 - $560 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $350 - $650+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $360 - $670+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,250 - $3,510+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Cincinnati Zoo

1. How much does a Cincinnati Zoo employee make?

Cincinnati Zoo pays its employees an average of $94,120 per year. The average salary at Cincinnati Zoo range from $82,252 to $107,782 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Cincinnati Zoo?

The salary at Cincinnati Zoo is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Cincinnati Zoo is $94,120, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to Anti-Racist Action which pays $93,202 per year or $45 per hour.

3. How much does an Executive Director typically earn at Cincinnati Zoo?

An Executive Director at Cincinnati Zoo typically earns an average annual base salary of around $171,983, with a general range of $151,638 to $193,142.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Cincinnati Zoo?

In many roles at Cincinnati Zoo, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Cincinnati affect the perceived value of a Cincinnati Zoo salary?

Cincinnati's Cost of Living Index is approximately 85.3 (14.7% less expensive than US average; 6.1% less than OH average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Cincinnati Zoo based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Cincinnati" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Cincinnati Zoo typically offer employees?

Cincinnati Zoo generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Cincinnati Zoo" section on this page.