Firefighter
Median wage · national
$59,280
Range: $44K – $77K
Employed
346K
Openings/yr
27K
Typically: postsecondary nondegree award
TRADES
Conservation Scientists
Conservation Scientists earn $73,010 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $57,700 and $91,560. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Conservation Scientists
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.
- Median Wage
- $73,010
- Employed Nationally
- 26K
- Openings / Year
- 2,500
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Agricultural Consultant
Agriculture Consultant
Aquatic Ecologist
Aquatic Habitat Restoration Technician
Botany Technician
How Much Do Conservation Scientists Make?
Conservation Scientists earn $73,010 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,700 and $91,560. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$73,010
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$58K–$92K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$57,700
Entry-level
$73,010
Median
$91,560
Experienced
What Do Conservation Scientists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Conservation Scientists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Where Do Conservation Scientists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Low
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
What Is the Job Outlook for Conservation Scientists?
The BLS projects +3.4% employment change for Conservation Scientists through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 2,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
2,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
26K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Conservation Scientists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $73,010 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 2,070 | $65,170 | -10.7% |
| 2 | California | 1,940 | $81,620 | +11.8% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 1,410 | $53,110 | -27.3% |
| 4 | Colorado | 1,220 | $80,240 | +9.9% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 1,010 | $75,940 | +4.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Conservation Scientists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 9 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,672 | $55,012 | 1,078 |
| 2 | Ecology | 9,123 | $48,842 | 352 |
| 3 | Sustainability Studies | 4,382 | $57,887 | 263 |
| 4 | Agricultural Production Operations | 3,522 | $53,588 | 283 |
| 5 | Plant Sciences | 3,307 | $56,567 | 157 |
| 6 | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,147 | $56,185 | 185 |
| 7 | Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,389 | $45,338 | 96 |
| 8 | Forestry | 2,243 | $58,784 | 133 |
| 9 | Geography and Environmental Studies | 809 | $55,678 | 45 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Conservation Scientists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Conservation Scientists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Conservation Scientists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Conservation Scientists Pros & Cons
The data on Conservation Scientists shows 1 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $73,010 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $73,010 median while building the experience employers require.
Conservation Scientists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Conservation Scientists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Conservation Scientists is $73,010, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,700 and $91,560. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Conservation Scientists a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $73,010 median, with +3.4% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Conservation Scientists?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Natural Resources Conservation and Research are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $73,010 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Conservation Scientists?
The BLS projects +3.4% employment change for Conservation Scientists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 2,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 26K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Conservation Scientists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Conservation Scientists roles: Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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