BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Conservation Scientists in Illinois

$75,750 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$36.42 per hour

▼ 1.8% below U.S. average28th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$75,750per year
Median$69,590per year
Hourly$36.42per hour
10th – 90th percentile$42,020 – $117,590per year

Conservation Scientists Pay Range in Illinois

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,020
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$51,630
  • 50th Percentile — Median$69,590
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$95,820
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$117,590

Half of Conservation Scientists in Illinois earn more than $69,590. The top 10% make $117,590 or more, while entry-level workers start around $42,020.

Conservation Scientists in Illinois: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Illinois ranks 28th of 51 states for Conservation Scientists pay, at $75,750 per year (1.8% below the U.S. average of $77,130).
  • 730 people work as Conservation Scientists in Illinois — 2.8% of all U.S. Conservation Scientists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.72: Conservation Scientists jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,020; the top 10% earn over $117,590.
  • Hourly equivalent: $36.42 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $99,050.
  • Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).

Conservation Scientists Job Market in Illinois

Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Conservation Scientists here earn $75,750 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $75,750 is roughly equivalent to $72,143 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($76,560), Montana ($76,360), Hawaii ($76,190) 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 Illinois?

The average Conservation Scientists salary in Illinois is $75,750 per year (median $69,590), which is 1.8% below the national average of $77,130.

How does Illinois rank for Conservation Scientists pay?

Illinois ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($99,050/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Conservation Scientists in Illinois earn about $42,020 per year and the 25th percentile is $51,630.

How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in Illinois?

About $36.42 per hour, based on the $75,750 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Conservation Scientists work in Illinois?

BLS counts 730 Conservation Scientists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).

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