BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Conservation Scientists in California

$88,030 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$42.32 per hour

▲ 14.1% above U.S. average8th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$88,030per year
Median$79,810per year
Hourly$42.32per hour
10th – 90th percentile$53,650 – $132,060per year

Conservation Scientists Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,650
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$64,310
  • 50th Percentile — Median$79,810
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$104,990
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$132,060

Half of Conservation Scientists in California earn more than $79,810. The top 10% make $132,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,650.

Conservation Scientists in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 8th of 51 states for Conservation Scientists pay, at $88,030 per year (14.1% above the U.S. average of $77,130).
  • 2,110 people work as Conservation Scientists in California — 8.1% of all U.S. Conservation Scientists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.69: Conservation Scientists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,650; the top 10% earn over $132,060.
  • Hourly equivalent: $42.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $99,050.
  • Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).

Conservation Scientists Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Conservation Scientists here earn $88,030 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $88,030 is roughly equivalent to $61,993 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($89,820), Oregon ($89,550), Colorado ($89,530) are the closest alternatives for Conservation Scientists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Conservation Scientists salary in California?

The average Conservation Scientists salary in California is $88,030 per year (median $79,810), which is 14.1% above the national average of $77,130.

How does California rank for Conservation Scientists pay?

California ranks 8th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($99,050/yr).

How much do entry-level Conservation Scientists make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Conservation Scientists in California earn about $53,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,310.

How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in California?

About $42.32 per hour, based on the $88,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Conservation Scientists work in California?

BLS counts 2,110 Conservation Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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