How much does a conservation scientist make?
The median conservation scientist in the United States earns $73,010 per year, about $35.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all conservation scientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1031.
Conservation scientist salary range
Pay for conservation scientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,550 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $110,410. The average (mean) wage of $77,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,550 | $22.86 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,700 | $27.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $73,010 | $35.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $110,410 | $53.08 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for conservation scientists (SOC 19-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Conservation scientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Conservation scientists earn the most in District of Columbia at $99,400 a year, and the least in Florida at $51,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99,400 | 110 |
| Colorado | $84,820 | 1,230 |
| Maryland | $83,290 | 470 |
| Idaho | $81,330 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $81,310 | 150 |
| Oregon | $80,790 | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $80,190 | 190 |
| California | $79,810 | 2,110 |
| Wisconsin | $79,540 | 970 |
| Alaska | $79,260 | 290 |
| Utah | $78,850 | 410 |
| Massachusetts | $78,740 | 760 |
| Washington | $78,450 | 1,270 |
| Virginia | $77,380 | 480 |
| North Dakota | $77,280 | 340 |
| Alabama | $77,000 | 110 |
| New York | $76,990 | 640 |
| New Mexico | $76,800 | 330 |
| Nebraska | $76,400 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $76,400 | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $76,130 | 60 |
| Maine | $75,900 | 290 |
| New Hampshire | $74,650 | 130 |
| Montana | $73,920 | 560 |
| Connecticut | $73,860 | 140 |
| Arkansas | $73,320 | 230 |
| Nevada | $73,030 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $71,980 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $71,280 | 770 |
| Oklahoma | $71,270 | 310 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | 250 |
| Vermont | $70,130 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $69,910 | 160 |
| Illinois | $69,590 | 730 |
| Georgia | $69,240 | 360 |
| Iowa | $69,240 | 610 |
| Texas | $68,620 | 1,970 |
| Kansas | $67,200 | 220 |
| Arizona | $66,750 | 410 |
| Hawaii | $65,740 | 220 |
| Indiana | $64,570 | 430 |
| North Carolina | $64,460 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $64,020 | 500 |
| Delaware | $63,850 | 80 |
| Michigan | $63,500 | 820 |
| Ohio | $63,160 | 680 |
| Missouri | $63,130 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,480 | 900 |
| Mississippi | $59,510 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $52,310 | 300 |
| Florida | $51,130 | 950 |
State median wages for conservation scientists (SOC 19-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for conservation scientists
The BLS projects employment of conservation scientists to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 27,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 29,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,100 openings a year for conservation scientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a conservation scientist
The typical entry-level education for conservation scientists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a conservation scientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $99,400) and the lowest (Florida, $51,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,950 people work as conservation scientists in the United States. At $73,010 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Conservation scientist salary FAQ
How much does a conservation scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a conservation scientist is $35.10. The middle half of conservation scientists earn between $27.74 and $44.02 per hour.
What is the highest conservation scientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of conservation scientists earn more than $110,410 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a conservation scientist make a year?
The median annual salary for a conservation scientist is $73,010. The average (mean) wage of $77,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a conservation scientist a well paid job?
At $73,010 a year, a conservation scientist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,950 people work as conservation scientists in the United States.
Which state pays conservation scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for conservation scientists at $99,400 a year. Colorado ($84,820) and Maryland ($83,290) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a conservation scientist a good career?
Employment of conservation scientists is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a conservation scientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for conservation scientists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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