Conservation Scientist

A Conservation Scientist earns a median salary of $65,130 per year in the United States, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.

Conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. They help landowners, governments, and organizations manage land use effectively.

$65,130
Median Salary
$69,689
Mean Salary
24,200
Total Employment
5%
Job Growth
About as fast as average
Bachelor's degree
Education
1,936
Openings/Year

Figures on this page are modeled estimates built from public BLS and NCES occupational and institutional categories, not official government reporting. Use them as directional guidance, not exact figures.

Salary Distribution

10th Percentile
$39,078
25th Percentile
$50,801
Median
$65,130
75th Percentile
$83,366
90th Percentile
$109,418

Top Employing States

Texas
2,753
California
2,348
Florida
2,090
New York
990
Ohio
913

Salary by State

# State Median Salary
1 Hawaii $120,817
2 Massachusetts $106,157
3 District of Columbia $99,702
4 California $89,617
5 Connecticut $87,319
6 New Jersey $85,882
7 Washington $84,522
8 New York $83,130
9 Rhode Island $82,960
10 New Hampshire $82,104
11 Oregon $79,535
12 Maryland $79,230
13 Delaware $77,193
14 Nevada $76,275
15 Illinois $75,540
16 Alaska $73,883
17 Idaho $73,003
18 Colorado $72,720
19 Virginia $69,420
20 Georgia $65,649
21 Vermont $65,415
22 Pennsylvania $65,411
23 Utah $64,372
24 Texas $63,693
25 Montana $63,680
26 Florida $62,768
27 Maine $62,524
28 Ohio $62,383
29 Kentucky $62,339
30 North Carolina $62,310
31 Louisiana $61,914
32 Tennessee $61,778
33 New Mexico $61,500
34 Nebraska $60,704
35 Minnesota $60,099
36 West Virginia $59,599
37 Oklahoma $58,389
38 Iowa $57,531
39 North Dakota $56,973
40 Arizona $56,969
41 Indiana $56,653
42 Alabama $55,107
43 Kansas $54,943
44 South Dakota $54,506
45 South Carolina $54,181
46 Mississippi $53,974
47 Michigan $53,968
48 Wyoming $53,307
49 Wisconsin $52,891
50 Arkansas $51,464
51 Missouri $49,837

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Conservation Scientist?
The median salary for a Conservation Scientist is $65,130 per year nationally. Salaries range from $39,078 (10th percentile) to $109,418 (90th percentile).
What education do you need to become a Conservation Scientist?
A Conservation Scientist typically requires a bachelor's degree.
What is the job outlook for Conservation Scientists?
Employment of conservation scientists is projected to grow 5%, described as about as fast as average. About 1,936 openings are expected each year.
Which state pays Conservation Scientists the most?
Hawaii pays the highest median salary for conservation scientists at $120,817 per year.

Colleges to Consider for a Career as a Conservation Scientist

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