CareerFacts

All careers › Conservation Scientists

Conservationist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$73,010median pay per year, or $35.10 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $47,550lowest 10% earn less
  2. $57,70025th percentile
  3. $73,010median
  4. $91,56075th percentile
  5. $110,410top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Conservation scientists, the BLS category that covers conservationist jobs, earned a median of $73,010 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.3%[2]
Openings per year
2,100[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do conservationists make?

BLS tracks this work as Conservation Scientists. In May 2025 the median wage was $73,010 a year, or $35.10 an hour[1]. The average was $77,130 a year, or $37.08 an hour[7]. The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4], so the median here is higher.

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $47,550 $22.86
25th[3][8] $57,700 $27.74
Median[1] $73,010 $35.10
75th[3][8] $91,560 $44.02
90th[3][8] $110,410 $53.08

The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $47,550[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. The figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 25,950 people held these wage and salary jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $99,400[12]. Colorado followed at $84,820 and Maryland at $83,290[12]. Florida had the lowest listed median, $51,130[12].

California had the most jobs, 2,110[13]. Texas had 1,970, Washington 1,270, Colorado 1,230 and Oregon 1,020[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV had the highest median at $99,360[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA came next at $97,810, then Salt Lake City-Murray, UT at $93,470[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, with 650 jobs and a median of $84,820[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$99,400110
Colorado$84,8201,230
Maryland$83,290470
Idaho$81,330300
Wyoming$81,310150
Oregon$80,7901,020
Louisiana$80,190190
California$79,8102,110
Wisconsin$79,540970
Alaska$79,260290
Utah$78,850410
Massachusetts$78,740760
Washington$78,4501,270
Virginia$77,380480
North Dakota$77,280340
Alabama$77,000110
New York$76,990640
New Mexico$76,800330
Nebraska$76,400220
South Dakota$76,400360
Rhode Island$76,13060
Maine$75,900290
New Hampshire$74,650130
Montana$73,920560
Connecticut$73,860140
Arkansas$73,320230
Nevada$73,030210
Kentucky$71,980180
Minnesota$71,280770
Oklahoma$71,270310
Tennessee$70,500250
Vermont$70,130100
West Virginia$69,910160
Illinois$69,590730
Georgia$69,240360
Iowa$69,240610
Texas$68,6201,970
Kansas$67,200220
Arizona$66,750410
Hawaii$65,740220
Indiana$64,570430
North Carolina$64,460540
New Jersey$64,020500
Delaware$63,85080
Michigan$63,500820
Ohio$63,160680
Missouri$63,130600
Pennsylvania$61,480900
Mississippi$59,510470
South Carolina$52,310300
Florida$51,130950

How to become a conservationist

BLS describes the typical path into Conservation Scientists this way:

In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 70% said a bachelor's degree is the education level required, 13% said a master's degree and 9% said a post-baccalaureate certificate[16]. This is a small survey, so read it as a rough guide.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile covers conservation scientists together with foresters, a wider group than this page[17]. It names forestry and natural resources as typical degree fields, along with related subjects like agriculture and biology[18]. Degree programs usually include biology, ecology and forest measurement courses. Graduates often also have a background in GIS and remote sensing[19].

Some states may require a credentialing process, and in some of them workers must be licensed. The handbook suggests checking with your state licensing board[20]. Some workers also earn optional certifications related to their area of work[21].

Qualities named in the handbook include analytical skills[22], communication[23], critical thinking[24], management skills[25] and physical stamina[26].

What conservationists do

O*NET describes the work as managing and protecting natural resources so they can be used without harming the environment[27]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as environmental analyst, erosion control specialist and land reclamation specialist[29].

Where they work

In the handbook's wider group, the federal government was the largest employer, at 27% of jobs in 2025[30]. Across the wider group, work typically happens in offices, in laboratories and outdoors, sometimes in remote places[31]. The work can be physically demanding, with long walks through dense vegetation and all kinds of weather[32]. Full-time work is typical, and schedules can include weekends. Some people work more than 40 hours a week, for example when traveling to remote sites[33]. In 2025, 0.4% of Conservation Scientists were self-employed[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of Conservation Scientists to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is a rise from about 27,700 to 29,200 jobs, or 1,500 more[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[35]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 2,100 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.8% of workers leave the labor force and 5% move to a different occupation[36].

For comparison, O*NET lists related occupations such as Environmental Scientists and Specialists with a median of $82,220 and projected growth of 6.1%, and Foresters with a median of $76,400 and growth of 2.2%[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that starts with a bachelor's degree[6]. Median pay was above the all-occupations median[1][4], and employment is projected to grow a little faster than average[2][35]. The occupation is small, with about 2,100 openings a year[5]. Pay varies by place, from $99,400 in DC to $51,130 in Florida[12]. The work mixes office time and outdoor work, and it can be physically demanding[31][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a conservation scientist make an hour?
The median wage was $35.10 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $22.86 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $53.08[8].
What degree do you need to be a conservationist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education for Conservation Scientists[6]. The handbook names forestry, natural resources or a related subject[18].
Are conservation scientists in demand?
BLS projects employment to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][35]. About 2,100 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for conservation scientists?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $99,400, followed by Colorado at $84,820[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Conservation Scientists in the US was $73,010 per year and $35.10 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Conservation Scientists is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 27,700 to 29,200 jobs (a change of +1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Conservation Scientists: 10th percentile $47,550, 25th percentile $57,700, 75th percentile $91,560, 90th percentile $110,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,100 openings for Conservation Scientists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Conservation Scientists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Conservation Scientists was $77,130 per year and $37.08 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Conservation Scientists: 10th percentile $22.86, 25th percentile $27.74, 75th percentile $44.02, 90th percentile $53.08. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 25,950 people were employed as Conservation Scientists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Conservation Scientists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Conservation Scientists jobs: California 2,110; Texas 1,970; Washington 1,270; Colorado 1,230; Oregon 1,020. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Conservation Scientists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $99,360; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,810; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $93,470; Madison, WI $85,110; Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $84,820; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $83,580; Bend, OR $82,630; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,380. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Conservation Scientists jobs: Fort Collins-Loveland, CO 650 (median $84,820); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 590 (median $64,020); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 490 (median $99,360); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 480 (median $78,580); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 450 (median $83,580); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 430 (median $68,620). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 19-1031.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 70%, Master's Degree 13%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Conservation Scientists and Foresters" covers Conservation Scientists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Conservation Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Conservation Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 19-1031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Conservationist, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Quality Scientist, Erosion Control Specialist, Land Reclamation Specialist, Land Resource Specialist, Research Soil Scientist, Resource Conservation Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of conservation scientists and foresters in 2025: Federal government, excluding postal service 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Conservation Scientists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Conservation Scientists: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.