SOC 191031

Conservation Scientists

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. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering. Excludes "Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023) and "Foresters" (19-1032).

National Median

$67,950

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$67,950

Entry Level (10th pct)

$45,260

Experienced (90th pct)

$107,720

Total Employed

25,590

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$45,260 - $53,190
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$53,190 - $87,980
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$87,980 - $107,720

Highest Paying Locations for Conservation Scientists

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$105,680

+55.5% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$98,930

+45.6% vs national

Salem, OR

$98,050

+44.3% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$96,260

+41.7% vs national

Bend, OR

$94,310

+38.8% vs national

Conservation Scientists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$105,680	80
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$98,930	340
Salem, OR	$98,050	90
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$96,260	370
Bend, OR	$94,310	80
Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area	$93,530	30
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$91,770	90
Medford, OR	$87,050	30
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$86,940	40
Charlottesville, VA	$86,730	30
Oregon	$86,170	880
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$85,820	40
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$85,090	240
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$83,220	170
Flagstaff, AZ	$83,120	50
Corvallis, OR	$82,950	70
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$82,890	250
Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area	$82,280	50
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$82,220	90
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$82,220	30
Boulder, CO	$82,080	70
Fairbanks-College, AK	$81,950	50
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$81,950	60
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$81,640	600
California	$81,620	1,940
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$81,280	140
Bozeman, MT	$81,220	60
Washington	$81,220	940
Madison, WI	$81,120	270
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$80,970	40
Fresno, CA	$80,600	40
Colorado	$80,240	1,220
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$80,240	650
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$80,100	270
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$79,970	100
Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$79,790	60
Nevada	$79,790	170
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area	$79,790	N/A
East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$79,790	90
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$79,790	80
North Dakota	$79,790	260
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$79,790	60
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$79,560	30
Barnstable Town, MA	$79,450	60
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$79,310	70
Eau Claire, WI	$79,090	30
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$78,610	50
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$78,490	40
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$78,480	330
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$77,940	30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Conservation Scientists?

The national median annual salary for Conservation Scientists is $67,950, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Conservation Scientistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Conservation Scientistss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $105,680.

How much can an experienced Conservation Scientists make?

Top-earning Conservation Scientistss (90th percentile) make $107,720 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.