Conservation Scientists Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $73,010 · Median hourly: $35.10 · Employment: 25,950
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 25th | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Median | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 75th | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 90th | $110,410 | $53.08 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-1031
- Total U.S. employment: 25,950
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
The mean wage of $77,130 sits 5.6% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $35.10 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $73,008 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $73,010.
Conservation Scientists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,000 | $37.02 | +5.5% | 110 |
| Alaska | $79,260 | $38.10 | +8.6% | 290 |
| Arizona | $66,750 | $32.09 | -8.6% | 410 |
| Arkansas | $73,320 | $35.25 | +0.4% | 230 |
| California | $79,810 | $38.37 | +9.3% | 2,110 |
| Colorado | $84,820 | $40.78 | +16.2% | 1,230 |
| Connecticut | $73,860 | $35.51 | +1.2% | 140 |
| Delaware | $63,850 | $30.70 | -12.5% | 80 |
| District of Columbia | $99,400 | $47.79 | +36.1% | 110 |
| Florida | $51,130 | $24.58 | -30.0% | 950 |
| Georgia | $69,240 | $33.29 | -5.2% | 360 |
| Hawaii | $65,740 | $31.61 | -10.0% | 220 |
| Idaho | $81,330 | $39.10 | +11.4% | 300 |
| Illinois | $69,590 | $33.46 | -4.7% | 730 |
| Indiana | $64,570 | $31.04 | -11.6% | 430 |
| Iowa | $69,240 | $33.29 | -5.2% | 610 |
| Kansas | $67,200 | $32.31 | -8.0% | 220 |
| Kentucky | $71,980 | $34.61 | -1.4% | 180 |
| Louisiana | $80,190 | $38.56 | +9.8% | 190 |
| Maine | $75,900 | $36.49 | +4.0% | 290 |
| Maryland | $83,290 | $40.04 | +14.1% | 470 |
| Massachusetts | $78,740 | $37.85 | +7.8% | 760 |
| Michigan | $63,500 | $30.53 | -13.0% | 820 |
| Minnesota | $71,280 | $34.27 | -2.4% | 770 |
| Mississippi | $59,510 | $28.61 | -18.5% | 470 |
| Missouri | $63,130 | $30.35 | -13.5% | 600 |
| Montana | $73,920 | $35.54 | +1.2% | 560 |
| Nebraska | $76,400 | $36.73 | +4.6% | 220 |
| Nevada | $73,030 | $35.11 | +0.0% | 210 |
| New Hampshire | $74,650 | $35.89 | +2.2% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $64,020 | $30.78 | -12.3% | 500 |
| New Mexico | $76,800 | $36.92 | +5.2% | 330 |
| New York | $76,990 | $37.01 | +5.5% | 640 |
| North Carolina | $64,460 | $30.99 | -11.7% | 540 |
| North Dakota | $77,280 | $37.15 | +5.8% | 340 |
| Ohio | $63,160 | $30.37 | -13.5% | 680 |
| Oklahoma | $71,270 | $34.26 | -2.4% | 310 |
| Oregon | $80,790 | $38.84 | +10.7% | 1,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,480 | $29.56 | -15.8% | 900 |
| Rhode Island | $76,130 | $36.60 | +4.3% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $52,310 | $25.15 | -28.4% | 300 |
| South Dakota | $76,400 | $36.73 | +4.6% | 360 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $33.90 | -3.4% | 250 |
| Texas | $68,620 | $32.99 | -6.0% | 1,970 |
| Utah | $78,850 | $37.91 | +8.0% | 410 |
| Vermont | $70,130 | $33.72 | -3.9% | 100 |
| Virginia | $77,380 | $37.20 | +6.0% | 480 |
| Washington | $78,450 | $37.72 | +7.5% | 1,270 |
| West Virginia | $69,910 | $33.61 | -4.2% | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $79,540 | $38.24 | +8.9% | 970 |
| Wyoming | $81,310 | $39.09 | +11.4% | 150 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for conservation scientists?
The median annual wage for conservation scientists is $73,010 ($35.10 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays conservation scientists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many conservation scientists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 25,950 conservation scientists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do conservation scientists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $35.10. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.