How Much Does a Conservationist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$73,010
Conservationists in the U.S. earn a median of $73,010 a year, or $35.10 an hour. Half of conservationists earn more than $73,010 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $110,410.
Pay percentiles for conservationists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.86 | $47,550 |
| 25th | $27.74 | $57,700 |
| 50th (median) | $35.10 | $73,010 |
| 75th | $44.02 | $91,560 |
| 90th | $53.08 | $110,410 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for conservationists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99,400 | $47.79 | +36% |
| Colorado | $84,820 | $40.78 | +16% |
| Maryland | $83,290 | $40.04 | +14% |
| Idaho | $81,330 | $39.10 | +11% |
| Wyoming | $81,310 | $39.09 | +11% |
| Oregon | $80,790 | $38.84 | +11% |
| Louisiana | $80,190 | $38.56 | +10% |
| California | $79,810 | $38.37 | +9% |
| Wisconsin | $79,540 | $38.24 | +9% |
| Alaska | $79,260 | $38.10 | +9% |
| United States | $73,010 | $35.10 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many conservationists are there?
BLS counts about 25,950 conservationists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Conservation Scientists”. The most jobs are in California (2,110), Texas (1,970) and Washington (1,270).
The mean (average) annual wage is $77,130, higher than the median of $73,010.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,084
- Biweekly
- $2,808
- Weekly
- $1,404
- Daily (8 hours)
- $281
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do conservationists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for conservationists is $35.10. The middle 50% earn between $27.74 and $44.02 an hour.
Which state pays conservationists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for conservationists at $99,400, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for conservationists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of conservationists earn less than $47,550 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.