Conservation Scientist Salary in Washington, DC
Conservation Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $99,360 a year — 36% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,253 take-home, or $6,104 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median conservation scientist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,029
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,160
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,441
- District of Columbia income tax$5,477
- Take-home pay$73,253
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Conservation Scientist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,460 | $29.55 | $49,015 | $4,085 |
| 25th percentile | $75,040 | $36.08 | $58,190 | $4,849 |
| Median (50th) | $99,360 | $47.77 | $73,253 | $6,104 |
| 75th percentile | $132,620 | $63.76 | $93,608 | $7,801 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,350 | $88.63 | $124,568 | $10,381 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,360 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median conservation scientist's $73,253 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,276 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for conservation scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 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 Washington, DC?
The median conservation scientist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $99,360 a year, or about $47.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,040 and $132,620.
What is a conservation scientist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $99,360 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $73,253 a year ($6,104 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,477 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a conservation scientist?
Pay here is 36% above the national median of $73,010. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,276 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a conservation scientist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median conservation scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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