Cougar Mountain Zoo Salary

As of September 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Cougar Mountain Zoo in the United States is $92,601. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $45. Salaries at Cougar Mountain Zoo typically range from $80,969 to $105,953 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Cougar Mountain Zoo Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Cougar Mountain Zoo. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Education Curator, with an annual salary of $56,102. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Is Cougar Mountain Zoo’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cougar Mountain 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
Puyallup Watershed Initiative $90,491
-2.3%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias $83,055
-10.3%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias primarily operates.
ThinkerAnalytix $95,132
+2.7%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Utah Democratic Party $82,032
-11.4%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like Utah Democratic Party.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+24.6%
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 Cougar Mountain Zoo

Considering a career at Cougar Mountain 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.
Coworkers are professional but mostly keep to themselves. The leadership fosters an environment of transparency, respect, and open communication. Work-life balance is supported with flexible schedules and wellness initiatives. Training quality depends on supervisor initiative. Reliable, informed, and focused on student and citizen outcomes.
I appreciate the diversity and inclusion initiatives promoted across all departments. Purpose-driven work that feels meaningful. Contributions are noticed and often appreciated. They operate with integrity and consistently prioritize community well-being. Leadership fosters an open-door policy and encourages feedback. Everyone works together toward shared goals, and there’s genuine pride in the mi...
Positive and respectful workplace culture. The inclusive culture promotes mutual respect and work-life balance, helping employees stay motivated and committed to their roles in public service. This organization balances stability with opportunities for innovation. Made archival retrieval instant.

Cougar Mountain Zoo Overview

Website
www.cougarmountainzoo.org
Founded In
1972
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
19525 SE 54th St Issaquah Washington WA 98027
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 4253926278
Social Media
About Cougar Mountain Zoo
Let us extend a warm welcome from the Cougar Mountain Zoo, a wild and exciting place located in the friendly and historic city of Issaquah, 15 miles East of Seattle. The Zoo is nestled on the north facing slope of Cougar Mountain with a breathtaking view of the Cascade Mountain range and Lake Sammamish. We are dedicated to promoting the cause of the Earth™s vanishing wildlife through the universal

What Benefits Does Cougar Mountain Zoo Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Cougar Mountain 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 Seattle?

Understanding the cost of living near Seattle is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cougar Mountain Zoo.
Seattle's Cost of Living Index is approximately 152.7 (52.7% more expensive than US average; 36.8% more than WA average). Major tech hub (Amazon, Microsoft nearby), extremely high housing costs. King County Metro, Sound Transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Cougar Mountain Zoo, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,000 - $3,000+ A significant portion of Cougar Mountain Zoo salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $220 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $99 (ORCA monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $500 - $750 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $550 - $1,000+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $430 - $800+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,709 - $5,779+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Cougar Mountain Zoo

1. How much does a Cougar Mountain Zoo employee make?

Cougar Mountain Zoo pays its employees an average of $92,601 per year. The average salary at Cougar Mountain Zoo range from $80,969 to $105,953 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 Cougar Mountain Zoo?

The salary at Cougar Mountain Zoo is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Cougar Mountain Zoo is $92,601, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to Puyallup Watershed Initiative which pays $90,491 per year or $44 per hour.

3. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Cougar Mountain Zoo?

In many roles at Cougar Mountain 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.

4. How does the cost of living near Seattle affect the perceived value of a Cougar Mountain Zoo salary?

Seattle's Cost of Living Index is approximately 152.7 (52.7% more expensive than US average; 36.8% more than WA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Cougar Mountain Zoo based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Seattle" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

5. What kind of benefits does Cougar Mountain Zoo typically offer employees?

Cougar Mountain 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 Cougar Mountain Zoo" section on this page.