How much does a Conservation Scientists make?

The median annual wage for Conservation Scientists is $73,010 ($35 per hour). Pay ranges from about $47,550 at the 10th percentile to $110,410 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Conservation Scientists?

The average (mean) annual salary is $77,130, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Conservation Scientistss the most?

District of Columbia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $99,400.

Is Conservation Scientists a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 26K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Conservation Scientists do?

Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.; Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.; Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs..

Conservation Scientists Salary

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 26K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$73,010

Median hourly

$35

Average annual

$77,130

Typical range

$47,550–$110,410

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$47,550

25th$57,700

Median$73,010

75th$91,560

90th$110,410

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Conservation Scientists is $73,010 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $35 an hour at a full-time schedule.

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands.

Most earn between $47,550 and $110,410 a year. There are roughly 26K people employed as conservation scientists in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Conservation Scientists.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $35.10
Daily: $281
Weekly: $1,404
Bi-weekly: $2,808
Monthly: $6,084
Annual: $73,010

$73,010 a year is around the 50th percentile for Conservation Scientistss. The median is $73,010.

Conservation Scientists — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$22.90	$47,550
25th percentile	$27.70	$57,700
Median	$35.10	$73,010
75th percentile	$44.00	$91,560
90th percentile	$53.10	$110,410
Average (mean)	$37.10	$77,130
Employment	25,950 people

Key skills

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Science

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1District of Columbia$99,400
2Colorado$84,820
3Maryland$83,290
4Idaho$81,330
5Wyoming$81,310
6Oregon$80,790
7Louisiana$80,190
8California$79,810
9Wisconsin$79,540
10Alaska$79,260
11Utah$78,850
12Massachusetts$78,740

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

1San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$110,200
2Springfield, IL$107,990
3Boulder, CO$101,380
4Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$99,360
5San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$97,810
6Salem, OR$95,470
7Salt Lake City-Murray, UT$93,470
8Trenton-Princeton, NJ$86,770
9Eau Claire, WI$86,070
10Madison, WI$85,110
11Fort Collins-Loveland, CO$84,820
12Missoula, MT$84,250

Related job titles

Employers advertise Conservation Scientists roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Conservation Scientists does

Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
Plan and organize public events at the park.
Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Conservation Scientists make?: The median annual wage for Conservation Scientists is $73,010 ($35 per hour). Pay ranges from about $47,550 at the 10th percentile to $110,410 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Conservation Scientists?: The average (mean) annual salary is $77,130, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Conservation Scientistss the most?: District of Columbia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $99,400.
Is Conservation Scientists a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 26K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Conservation Scientists do?: Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.; Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.; Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs..