Conservation Scientists earn a median of $73,010 per year ($35.10/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.3% through 2035, with about 2,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-1031
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Conservation Scientist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $73,010a year, or $35.10/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $110K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.3%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,10027,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202527.7K
- Projected 203529.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 27.7K Projected 2035 29.2K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate4.4%
- Bachelor's69.6%
- Post-bacc certificate8.7%
- Master's13%
- Doctorate4.4%
Highest education held by conservation scientists Segment Value Certificate 4.4% Bachelor's 69.6% Post-bacc certificate 8.7% Master's 13% Doctorate 4.4%
Also advertised as: Conservationist, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Quality Scientist, Erosion Control Specialist, Land Reclamation Specialist, Land Resource Specialist.
Pay
How much do Conservation Scientists make?
Every conservation scientist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$73,010
Middle half earn $57,700 to $91,560
- 10th
- $47,550
- 25th
- $57,700
- 75th
- $91,560
- 90th
- $110,410
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,550 |
| 25th | $57,700 |
| Median | $73,010 |
| 75th | $91,560 |
| 90th | $110,410 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $73,010
- Median hourly wage
- $35.10/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $77,130
- People employed
- 25,950
Versus all US occupations
At $73,010, Conservation Scientists earn 43% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $22,030 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 11% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $110,410 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,550, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 47% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($99,400), but once local prices are taken into account Louisiana leads at $90,911 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Conservation Scientists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $99,400 | $90,445 | 110 |
| 2Colorado | $84,820 | $82,308 | 1,230 |
| 3Maryland | $83,290 | $79,355 | 470 |
| 4Idaho | $81,330 | $85,168 | 300 |
| 5Wyoming | $81,310 | $87,722 | 150 |
| 6Oregon | $80,790 | $78,163 | 1,020 |
| 7Louisiana | $80,190 | $90,911 | 190 |
| 8California | $79,810 | $72,083 | 2,110 |
| 9Wisconsin | $79,540 | $84,532 | 970 |
| 10Alaska | $79,260 | $77,433 | 290 |
Job outlook
Is Conservation Scientist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Scientists | +5.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Conservation Scientists to change 5.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,100 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 27,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of conservation scientists and foresters varies by occupation (see table).
Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as protecting wildlife habitats and preserving water supplies, is expected to create demand for conservation scientists.
Getting in
How to become a Conservation Scientist
Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as conservation scientists.
- Bachelor's Degree69.6%
- Master's Degree13%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate8.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.4%
- Doctoral Degree4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 69.6% |
| Master's Degree | 13% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 8.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Conservation Scientist do?
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
Day-to-day tasks
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
- Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
- Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.
- Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most conservation scientists and foresters work full time, and schedules may vary to include weekends. Some work more than 40 hours per week, such as when traveling to remote locations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where conservation scientists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Federal government, excluding postal service27%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals21%
- Social advocacy organizations20%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals19%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 27% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 21% |
| Social advocacy organizations | 20% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 19% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.6
- Writing3.5
- Science3.5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Active Learning3.3
- Monitoring3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Science | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.1
- Service Orientation3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Conservation Scientist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Conservation Scientist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative5.7
- Realistic5.2
- Conventional4.0
- Enterprising3.2
- Social2.9
- Artistic2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Conservation Scientist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health
$82,220median a year
Most earn $53K to $140K
+6.1%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Management
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with conservation scientists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$90,150
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within conservation scientist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Conservation Scientist appears on
Questions
Conservation Scientist: frequently asked questions
How much do Conservation Scientists make?
Conservation Scientists earn a median of $73,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 43% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $35.10/hr. The middle half earn between $57,700 and $91,560. The top 10% earn $110,410 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Conservation Scientist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Conservation Scientists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 69.6% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Conservation Scientist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.3% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Conservation Scientist do?
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. A core O*NET task: apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Conservation Scientists the most?
The highest state medians for Conservation Scientists are District of Columbia ($99,400), Colorado ($84,820), Maryland ($83,290) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Louisiana moves to the top at $90,911.
What personality type suits a Conservation Scientist?
O*NET scores Conservation Scientists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.