Conservation Scientists Salary in California
Conservation Scientists in California earn a median annual wage of $79,810 —9.3% above the national median of $73,010. That ranks CA #8 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.69× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for conservation scientists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $99,400 | $47.79 | 110 | 0.97 |
| 2 | Colorado | $84,820 | $40.78 | 1,230 | 2.57 |
| 3 | Maryland | $83,290 | $40.04 | 470 | 1.02 |
| 4 | Idaho | $81,330 | $39.10 | 300 | 2.13 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $81,310 | $39.09 | 150 | 3.24 |
| 6 | Oregon | $80,790 | $38.84 | 1,020 | 3.10 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $80,190 | $38.56 | 190 | 0.60 |
| 8 | California | $79,810 | $38.37 | 2,110 | 0.69 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $79,540 | $38.24 | 970 | 1.97 |
| 10 | Alaska | $79,260 | $38.10 | 290 | 5.30 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do conservation scientists make in California?
The median annual wage for conservation scientists in California is $79,810, or $38.37 per hour. That is 9.3% above the national median of $73,010.
What is the entry-level conservation scientists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $53,650 per year ($25.79/hour). The 25th percentile is $64,310.
How many people work as conservation scientists in California?
About 2,110 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for conservation scientists?
California ranks #8 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.69x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays conservation scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $99,400 per year, followed by Colorado ($84,820) and Maryland ($83,290).