Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Conservation scientists work in a specialized field focused on managing natural resources and related environments. Nationally, the occupation has a median annual salary of $67,950 and employment of about 28,000 people. Projected employment growth of 3.4% and roughly 2,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities over time. The field typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree, supported by strong skills in science, mathematics, project management, technology, communication, and critical thinking. Top opportunity scores in several states and metro areas indicate that job quality, pay, and availability can vary meaningfully by location. For people considering related paths, similar occupations include foresters, hydrologists, hydrologic technicians, zoologists and wildlife biologists, and environmental science and protection technicians (including health). Overall, conservation science offers a defined professional track with consistent national demand and clear expectations for education and skills, making it a focused option for students and career changers interested in this domain.
Conservation scientists earn a national median annual salary of $67,950, with notable variation across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, Colorado shows a median salary of $84,820, and California reports $79,810. Massachusetts, New York, and Washington are also in a similar salary range, between about $76,990 and $78,740. At the metro level, pay can be higher. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA, stands out with a median salary of $110,200, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, is at $99,360 and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, at $97,810. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ, shows a median of $64,020, demonstrating that even high-opportunity metros can differ in pay. These figures indicate that earning potential in this field is sensitive to location, and job seekers may want to compare both salaries and opportunity scores when evaluating offers.
Conservation scientists have national employment of about 28,000, with projected employment growth of 3.4%. This growth rate suggests that the field is expected to expand rather than contract over the projection period. Approximately 2,000 annual openings indicate a steady number of opportunities each year, which can come from a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The combination of existing employment, projected growth, and annual openings points to a field with ongoing hiring needs rather than a static job market. For students planning ahead or workers considering a transition, these numbers can help when estimating the likelihood of finding positions over time. While regional conditions vary, the consistent national growth rate of 3.4% is also reflected in the listed high-opportunity states and metros, reinforcing the idea of stable demand across multiple locations for qualified conservation scientists.
Location plays a major role in opportunities for conservation scientists. Among states, California has a relatively large employment level of 2,110 and a median salary of $79,810, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also rank highly by opportunity score, at 65.87 and 65.78, with median salaries of $78,740 and $76,990 and employment of 760 and 640, respectively. Colorado and Washington offer opportunity scores in the mid‑50s and median salaries around or above the high‑$70,000 range, paired with employment near or above 1,200. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA, leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $110,200, though employment is relatively small at 70. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ, combines a high opportunity score of 77.27 with employment of 590 but a lower median salary of $64,020. Other metros like San Francisco, Washington, DC region, and Boston offer high salaries and solid employment, creating multiple regional options.
The typical education requirement for conservation scientists is a bachelor’s degree. This academic foundation supports a broad set of core skills that are important in the field. Key strengths include science and mathematics, which underpin much of the analytical work. Project management skills help with coordinating activities and resources, while computers and information technology support data handling and related tasks. Critical and analytical thinking, along with writing and reading, are central to evaluating information and documenting findings. Leadership, speaking, and listening skills support collaboration and communication with others. Creativity and innovation can be valuable when approaching complex problems, and physical strength and stamina are also listed as important, indicating that some roles may involve physically demanding activities. Together, these skills outline a profile that blends technical knowledge, analytical ability, communication, and physical capabilities for success as a conservation scientist.
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