Conservation Scientist Salary in Portland, OR
Conservation Scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median $83,580 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,145 take-home, or $5,095 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median conservation scientist salary in Portland, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,558
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,182
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,212
- Oregon income tax$6,484
- Take-home pay$61,145
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.75% state
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro spans Oregon, Washington. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Conservation Scientist pay by experience in Portland, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,970 | $29.31 | $46,664 | $3,889 |
| 25th percentile | $75,140 | $36.13 | $55,946 | $4,662 |
| Median (50th) | $83,580 | $40.18 | $61,145 | $5,095 |
| 75th percentile | $115,480 | $55.52 | $80,795 | $6,733 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,030 | $69.73 | $98,337 | $8,195 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,580 buys in Portland, OR
Prices in Portland, OR are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median conservation scientist's $61,145 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,001 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Portland, OR has 2.2× 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
Portland, OR ranks #3 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 Portland, OR?
The median conservation scientist salary in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $83,580 a year, or about $40.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,140 and $115,480.
What is a conservation scientist’s take-home pay in Portland, OR?
On the median $83,580 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $61,145 a year ($5,095 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,484 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a conservation scientist?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $73,010. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,001 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, OR ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a conservation scientist afford rent in Portland, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, OR is $1,677 a month ($1,922 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median conservation scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, OR
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $112,640
- Urban and Regional Planner — $103,070
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $98,050
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $97,410
- Psychologists, All Other — $86,680
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other — $62,660
- Biological Technician — $57,200