Conservation Scientist Salary in Boston, MA
Conservation Scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $78,580 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,402 take-home, or $5,034 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median conservation scientist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,458
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,872
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,139
- Massachusetts income tax$3,709
- Take-home pay$60,402
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Conservation Scientist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,070 | $24.55 | $40,881 | $3,407 |
| 25th percentile | $62,880 | $30.23 | $49,780 | $4,148 |
| Median (50th) | $78,580 | $37.78 | $60,402 | $5,034 |
| 75th percentile | $89,690 | $43.12 | $67,662 | $5,639 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,700 | $53.70 | $82,046 | $6,837 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,580 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median conservation scientist's $60,402 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,790 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Conservation Scientist jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for conservation scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #4 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $99,360 | $73,253 | $67,276 |
| 2 | Fort Collins, CO | $84,820 | $65,477 | $64,747 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $83,580 | $61,145 | $58,001 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $78,580 | $60,402 | $55,790 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $64,020 | $50,760 | $45,095 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make in Boston, MA?
The median conservation scientist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $78,580 a year, or about $37.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,880 and $89,690.
What is a conservation scientist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $78,580 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $60,402 a year ($5,034 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,709 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a conservation scientist?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $73,010. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,790 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #4 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a conservation scientist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median conservation scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Materials Scientist — $132,600
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $131,550
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $129,500
- Chemist — $127,290
- Microbiologist — $122,350
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $121,270
- Epidemiologist — $115,890
- Psychologists, All Other — $112,900
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $110,410
- Economist — $108,140
- Physicist — $106,000
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $105,960