Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$80,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$9,000
11.5% of base
Total target cash
$89,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$5,50050th$9,00075th$14,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingScience
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Conservation Scientist pay by experience level
Entry level$49,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$59,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$75,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$95,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$114,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
2,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Conservation Scientist salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
17,530 workers
$80,500
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
6,970 workers
$96,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
5,720 workers
$69,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
5,360 workers
$76,500
Social Advocacy Organizations
5,190 workers
$76,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
4,830 workers
$72,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,430 workers
$84,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
1,060 workers
$81,500
Educational Services
840 workers
$80,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
800 workers
$81,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Conservation Scientist pays 20% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Need Conservation Scientist pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
