📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Conservation Scientist Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$66,240
per year
Median
$63,380
per year
Hourly
$31.85
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,106
25th Percentile — Junior$56,290
50th Percentile — Median$63,380
75th Percentile — Senior$83,704
90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,822
💡 The top 10% of Conservation Scientists earn $93,822 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $44,106, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$55.8k
2021
$57.7k
2022
$59.7k
2023
$61.8k
2024
$64.0k
2025
$66.2k
2026
📈 Conservation Scientist salaries have grown 3.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $10,468.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $102,672 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $100,685 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $94,061 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $91,411 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $87,437 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $86,112 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $84,787 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $82,800 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $80,813 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $76,176 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $76,176 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $75,514 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $74,189 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $72,864 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $72,864 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $71,539 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $69,552 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $69,552 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $67,565 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $67,565 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $66,240 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $66,240 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $65,578 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $65,578 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $64,915 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $62,928 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $62,928 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $61,603 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $61,603 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $61,603 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $60,941 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $60,941 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $60,278 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $59,616 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $58,291 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $57,629 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $57,629 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $57,629 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $56,966 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $56,304 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $56,304 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $55,642 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $54,979 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $54,979 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $52,992 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $51,667 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Conservation Scientist Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Conservation Scientist's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Conservation Scientists typically earn $44,106–$56,290 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $83,704–$93,822 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Conservation Scientist role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 3.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Science sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Conservation Scientist?The average salary for a Conservation Scientist in the United States is $66,240 per year, with a median of $63,380.
-
What is the starting salary for a Conservation Scientist?Entry-level Conservation Scientists typically earn between $44,106 and $56,290 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Conservation Scientists the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Conservation Scientists the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Conservation Scientist make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $66,240, a Conservation Scientist earns approximately $31.85 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Conservation Scientist a good career in 2026?Yes — the Conservation Scientist role has medium demand with 3.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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