Conservation Scientists in California
Thinking about a career as a Conservation Scientists in California? Here’s what you need to know. 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. Excludes “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists” (19-1023) and “Foresters” (19-1032).
What do Conservation Scientists Make in California?
The conservation scientists working in California, the typical annual salary is $81,620 per year (or about $39.24/hour).Earnings range from $51,890 at the 10th percentile to $130,250 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Median (50th) | $81,620 | $39.24 |
| 75th percentile | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| 90th percentile | $130,250 | $62.62 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 0.65, suggesting fewer conservation scientists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, conservation scientists earn a median of $81,436 per year ($39.15/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 184,125 conservation scientists nationwide. In California alone, about 1,940 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 390 conservation scientists.
Top California Metros for Conservation Scientists
The largest metro-area employers of conservation scientists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 370 | $96,260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 290 | $72,870 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 170 | $83,220 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 140 | $81,280 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 90 | $71,210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 90 | $91,770 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 80 | $105,680 |
| Salinas, CA | 50 | $71,050 |
| Fresno, CA | 40 | $80,600 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 40 | n/a |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $78,490 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 30 | $79,560 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 30 | $70,260 |
Top States for Conservation Scientists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most conservation scientists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,070 |
| California | 1,940 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,410 |
| Colorado | 1,220 |
| Wisconsin | 1,010 |
| Washington | 940 |
| Oregon | 880 |
| New York | 750 |
| Illinois | 730 |
| Massachusetts | 730 |
| Florida | 720 |
| Virginia | 720 |
| Ohio | 700 |
| Minnesota | 690 |
| Michigan | 630 |
| Maryland | 610 |
| Iowa | 590 |
| North Carolina | 570 |
| New Jersey | 530 |
| Missouri | 520 |
Highest-Paying States for Conservation Scientists
The highest-paying states for conservation scientists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $86,170 |
| California | $81,620 |
| Washington | $81,220 |
| Colorado | $80,240 |
| Nevada | $79,790 |
| North Dakota | $79,790 |
| Connecticut | $77,410 |
| Utah | $77,380 |
| Minnesota | $77,180 |
| Wyoming | $77,020 |
Skills
Top conservation scientists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for conservation scientists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
- Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
- Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
- Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
- Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
- Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.
- Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Processing Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Wildlife Management
- Natural Resource Management
- Forestry
- Sustainability Science
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Ecology & Systematics Biology
- Agricultural Production
- Plant Sciences
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to conservation scientists include:
- Water Resource Specialists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Agricultural Engineers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
Also Known As
Agricultural Consultant, Agriculture Consultant, Aquatic Ecologist, Aquatic Habitat Restoration Technician, Botany Technician, Conservation Agent, Conservation Associate, Conservation Engineer, Conservation Policy Analyst, Conservation Science Officer, Conservation Scientist, Conservation Specialist, Conservationist, Department of Natural Resources Officer (DNR Officer), District Conservationist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-1031.00
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