Conservation Scientist Salary
Conservation Scientists earn a median $73,010 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What conservation scientists do
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.3% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,100
Employment of conservation scientists is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Conservation Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,232
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,527
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,059
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$60,193
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,550 | $22.86 | $40,386 |
| 25th percentile | $57,700 | $27.74 | $48,542 |
| Median (50th) | $73,010 | $35.10 | $60,193 |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 | $73,242 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,410 | $53.08 | $86,503 |
Conservation Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99,400 | — | $73,277 | $66,130 – $142,430 | 110 |
| Colorado | $84,820 | +5.7% | $65,477 | $57,710 – $134,350 | 1,230 |
| Maryland | $83,290 | +10.5% | $63,832 | $57,760 – $128,610 | 470 |
| Idaho | $81,330 | +12.1% | $62,843 | $47,300 – $99,560 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $81,310 | +5.6% | $66,032 | $49,940 – $100,420 | 150 |
| Oregon | $80,790 | −6.2% | $59,426 | $61,110 – $130,400 | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $80,190 | +37.1% | $63,224 | $29,520 – $136,990 | 190 |
| California | $79,810 | −2.2% | $60,746 | $53,650 – $132,060 | 2,110 |
| Wisconsin | $79,540 | +4.7% | $61,951 | $47,440 – $102,750 | 970 |
| Alaska | $79,260 | +5.0% | $64,589 | $53,830 – $135,120 | 290 |
| Utah | $78,850 | +1.9% | $61,719 | $55,090 – $104,000 | 410 |
| Massachusetts | $78,740 | +2.6% | $60,507 | $51,070 – $119,460 | 760 |
| Washington | $78,450 | −3.4% | $64,020 | $59,700 – $106,710 | 1,270 |
| Virginia | $77,380 | +15.1% | $59,632 | $45,910 – $161,470 | 480 |
| North Dakota | $77,280 | −3.1% | $62,949 | $51,470 – $109,300 | 340 |
| Alabama | $77,000 | +1.0% | $59,415 | $48,730 – $115,590 | 110 |
| New York | $76,990 | +17.5% | $59,432 | $46,580 – $115,210 | 640 |
| New Mexico | $76,800 | +5.9% | $60,415 | $46,520 – $111,010 | 330 |
| Nebraska | $76,400 | +1.9% | $59,981 | $54,500 – $106,330 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $76,400 | +5.3% | $62,577 | $51,100 – $100,420 | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $76,130 | — | $60,149 | $56,580 – $173,650 | 60 |
| Maine | $75,900 | +16.8% | $58,284 | $48,150 – $107,680 | 290 |
| New Hampshire | $74,650 | +10.2% | $61,346 | $44,340 – $103,710 | 130 |
| Montana | $73,920 | −1.3% | $58,017 | $48,660 – $106,330 | 560 |
| Connecticut | $73,860 | −4.6% | $58,303 | $65,430 – $123,320 | 140 |
| Arkansas | $73,320 | +1.1% | $57,764 | $51,630 – $109,300 | 230 |
| Nevada | $73,030 | −8.5% | $60,207 | $36,780 – $107,920 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $71,980 | +12.5% | $57,066 | $45,710 – $106,330 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $71,280 | −7.6% | $55,652 | $45,740 – $106,330 | 770 |
| Oklahoma | $71,270 | +15.0% | $56,307 | $42,000 – $106,420 | 310 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | −5.9% | $58,427 | $48,190 – $109,300 | 250 |
| Vermont | $70,130 | +13.3% | $55,998 | $49,750 – $105,420 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $69,910 | +2.2% | $55,577 | $42,670 – $133,470 | 160 |
| Illinois | $69,590 | −4.1% | $54,487 | $42,020 – $117,590 | 730 |
| Georgia | $69,240 | +1.9% | $54,570 | $49,230 – $137,450 | 360 |
| Iowa | $69,240 | +8.2% | $55,561 | $50,320 – $97,870 | 610 |
| Texas | $68,620 | +5.3% | $57,104 | $53,440 – $92,320 | 1,970 |
| Kansas | $67,200 | +46.5% | $53,155 | $48,440 – $105,370 | 220 |
| Arizona | $66,750 | −12.3% | $54,329 | $47,410 – $104,750 | 410 |
| Hawaii | $65,740 | +41.1% | $51,536 | $42,300 – $132,020 | 220 |
| Indiana | $64,570 | +2.7% | $52,187 | $39,200 – $105,020 | 430 |
| North Carolina | $64,460 | +4.3% | $51,910 | $47,190 – $111,740 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $64,020 | +5.9% | $51,631 | $50,340 – $107,240 | 500 |
| Delaware | $63,850 | +14.0% | $50,610 | $48,650 – $89,990 | 80 |
| Michigan | $63,500 | +4.1% | $50,754 | $44,680 – $109,300 | 820 |
| Ohio | $63,160 | +5.7% | $51,975 | $44,070 – $99,780 | 680 |
| Missouri | $63,130 | +3.7% | $50,875 | $44,570 – $97,680 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,480 | +15.8% | $49,692 | $38,560 – $93,100 | 900 |
| Mississippi | $59,510 | +4.4% | $48,348 | $42,160 – $106,330 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $52,310 | −3.5% | $42,230 | $37,810 – $96,100 | 300 |
| Florida | $51,130 | −3.2% | $43,263 | $37,110 – $98,360 | 950 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Animal Scientist | $68,940 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make?
The national median salary for conservation scientists is $73,010 a year ($35.10 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,550 and the top 10% earn over $110,410. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays conservation scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $99,400.
How many conservation scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 25,950 people work as conservation scientists nationwide.