All careersEngineering & science

Conservation Scientist

$67,950
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Manage the quality and use of forests, soil, water, and other natural resources.

Where you work

Forests, parks, farms, and offices

The hours

Full-time, some fieldwork

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$67,950
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~2,500
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+3%
About average
Working in the U.S.
28,500
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Bachelor's degree

Training path: Bachelor's degree.

License or certification

No license required to start in most places.

What it takes

Land managementData analysisGIS mappingCommunication

The honest take

Manages forests, rangelands, and natural resources for their long-term health.

Standard Occupational Classification 19-1031. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.