What Do Conservation Scientist Do?
Occupation Description 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.
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Other Conservation Scientist Job Titles
- Range Ecologist
- Water Conservationist
- Conservation Science Officer
- Range Scientist
- Resource Conservationist
Is There Going to be Demand for Conservation Scientists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 22,300 jobs in the United States for Conservation Scientist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,400 new jobs for Conservation Scientist by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,000 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Conservation Scientist are Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, New Mexico, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Conservation Scientist
Conservation Scientists make between $34,020 and $98,450 a year.

Conservation Scientists who work in Connecticut, Alaska, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Conservation Scientists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $59,310 |
Alaska | $93,390 |
Arizona | $71,190 |
Arkansas | $70,630 |
California | $75,980 |
Colorado | $71,170 |
Connecticut | $87,710 |
Delaware | $55,300 |
Florida | $40,620 |
Georgia | $69,390 |
Hawaii | $68,360 |
Idaho | $66,510 |
Illinois | $63,840 |
Indiana | $63,320 |
Iowa | $56,820 |
Kansas | $68,910 |
Kentucky | $67,440 |
Louisiana | $61,430 |
Maine | $61,970 |
Maryland | $79,070 |
Massachusetts | $72,200 |
Michigan | $63,460 |
Minnesota | $72,650 |
Mississippi | $54,870 |
Missouri | $57,580 |
Montana | $64,480 |
Nebraska | $65,300 |
Nevada | $61,670 |
New Hampshire | $72,160 |
New Jersey | $85,360 |
New Mexico | $68,710 |
North Carolina | $61,780 |
North Dakota | $64,900 |
Ohio | $55,550 |
Oklahoma | $64,330 |
Oregon | $76,790 |
Pennsylvania | $55,200 |
South Carolina | $56,220 |
South Dakota | $62,390 |
Tennessee | $68,440 |
Texas | $57,990 |
Utah | $63,720 |
Vermont | $55,150 |
Virginia | $75,370 |
Washington | $65,120 |
West Virginia | $50,210 |
Wisconsin | $65,610 |
Wyoming | $71,180 |
Where Conservation Scientists Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Conservation Scientists employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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