What is a Conservation Scientist?
Career 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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Types of Conservation Scientist Jobs
- Resource Conservationist
- Grassland Conservationist
- Land Reclamation Specialist
- Water Conservationist
- Range Scientist
Is There Job Demand for Conservation Scientists?
In the United States, there were 22,300 jobs for Conservation Scientist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.

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.
How Much Does a Conservation Scientist Make?
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.
How much do Conservation Scientists make 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 |
Conservation Scientists Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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