Conservation Scientist Salary in Fort Collins, CO
Conservation Scientists in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median $84,820 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,477 take-home, or $5,456 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median conservation scientist salary in Fort Collins, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,830
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,259
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,230
- Colorado income tax$3,024
- Take-home pay$65,477
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Conservation Scientist pay by experience in Fort Collins, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,490 | $25.72 | $43,514 | $3,626 |
| 25th percentile | $67,770 | $32.58 | $54,233 | $4,519 |
| Median (50th) | $84,820 | $40.78 | $65,477 | $5,456 |
| 75th percentile | $108,540 | $52.18 | $81,121 | $6,760 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,680 | $66.67 | $100,660 | $8,388 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,820 buys in Fort Collins, CO
Prices in Fort Collins, CO are 1.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median conservation scientist's $65,477 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,747 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Collins, CO has 23.1× the national concentration of conservation scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for conservation scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Collins, CO ranks #2 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 Fort Collins, CO?
The median conservation scientist salary in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $84,820 a year, or about $40.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,770 and $108,540.
What is a conservation scientist’s take-home pay in Fort Collins, CO?
On the median $84,820 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $65,477 a year ($5,456 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,024 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to work as a conservation scientist?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $73,010. Local prices are 1.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,747 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Collins, CO ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a conservation scientist afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Collins, CO is $1,537 a month ($1,732 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median conservation scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.