Zoo Director Salaries in California
How Much Does a Zoo Director Make in California?
Updated March 01, 2025
As of March 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Zoo Director in California is $82,958.
While Salary.com is seeing that Zoo Director salary in CA can go up to $112,243
or down to $53,883, but most earn between $67,739 and $98,287.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Zoo Director
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Similar Job Salaries to Zoo Director by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
City of Alexandria, LA
Assistant Director, Zoo
|
$63,814/yr
|
RANGE: $55,325 - $72,303
|
|
Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.
Director of Human Resources at Dallas Zoo
|
$168,202/yr
|
RANGE: $143,298 - $193,106
|
|
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Senior Mechanic - San Diego Zoo
|
$69,808/yr
|
RANGE: $61,613 - $78,004
|
|
Medcor Inc
San Diego Zoo - Paramedic - PRN
|
$244,483/yr
|
RANGE: $210,623 - $278,342
|
|
Ventura County Community College District
Zoo Day Camp Counselor (Temporary Assignment)
|
$78,567/yr
|
RANGE: $67,906 - $89,228
|
|
Aza
Delivery Helper - Part Time - San Diego Zoo
|
$57,797/yr
|
RANGE: $49,784 - $65,809
|
|
Fresnos Chaffee Zoo Corporation
Zoo Camp Instructor - Part Time Seasonal
|
$94,033/yr
|
RANGE: $69,905 - $118,161
|
|
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Horticulturist - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
|
$68,938/yr
|
RANGE: $58,202 - $79,675
|
|
Wheaton Park District
Guest Services Manager/Assistant to the Cosley Zoo Director - Full-time
|
$79,754/yr
|
RANGE: $66,503 - $93,005
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Zoo Director Jobs in California
It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States.
There are some cities where a Zoo Director can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living.
Below is the top cities list for Zoo Director job salaries in California.
Some cities can pay higher salaries for Zoo Director jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Zoo Director positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Zoo Director salary is higher than other cities in California.
San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont.
The Zoo Director salary is $94,390 in San Jose,
which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Zoo Director salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Zoo Director in California is $82,958,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Zoo Director jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara.
Zoo Director jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| San Jose | $94,390 | $7,866 | $1,815 | $45 |
| Santa Clara | $94,390 | $7,866 | $1,815 | $45 |
| Fremont | $94,240 | $7,853 | $1,812 | $45 |
| San Francisco | $94,014 | $7,835 | $1,808 | $45 |
| Daly City | $94,014 | $7,835 | $1,808 | $45 |
| Berkeley | $91,758 | $7,646 | $1,765 | $44 |
| Oakland | $91,758 | $7,646 | $1,765 | $44 |
| Hayward | $91,607 | $7,634 | $1,762 | $44 |
| Antioch | $86,643 | $7,220 | $1,666 | $42 |
| Vallejo | $84,613 | $7,051 | $1,627 | $41 |
What Does a Zoo Director Do?
In the quirky and original zoo browser game Zoo 2: Animal Park, you slip into the role of a zoo director.
Updated December 13, 2021
Some larger zoos have directors of individual departments (such as development, marketing, or research) who work under the supervision of the general director.
Updated November 07, 2021
Significant managerial experience, business training, financial management skills, and communication skills are also necessary qualifications for a zoo director.
Updated October 29, 2021
We found these by analyzing 13 zoo director resumes to investigate the topic of zoo director education more precisely.
Updated October 02, 2021
Full-Time Zoo Director for the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, IL – under the Springfield Park District Municipal Agency.
Updated December 21, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Zoo Director Salaries
What is the average of a Zoo Director in California?
The Zoo Director salary range is from $67,739 to $98,287, and the average Zoo Director salary is $82,958/year in California.
The Zoo Director's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest Zoo Director salary in the United States?
The Zoo Director salary in San Jose, CA is $94,390
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the Zoo Director's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Zoo Director.
What is the growth rate of the Zoo Director's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a Zoo Director or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Zoo Director.
