Conservation Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $66,730 -1.8% vs national
Median hourly $32.08
10th percentile $34,580
90th percentile $109,300
Employed locally 360
National median $67,950

Compare Conservation Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Conservation Scientists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,580
    25th
    $49,110
    50th (median)
    $66,730
    75th
    $82,350
    90th
    $109,300

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Conservation Scientists salary vs area income 75% Median Conservation Scientists salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Conservation Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Springfield, IL $107,990
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,680
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $98,930
    Salem, OR $98,050
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $96,260
    Bend, OR $94,310

    Nearby metros — Conservation Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Springfield, IL $107,990
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $98,930
    Charlottesville, VA $86,730
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $83,220
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $78,490
    East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $77,770

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$98,240
    Chemists$100,720
    School Psychologists$80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$98,780
    Physicists$131,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Conservation Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $32.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.30 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Conservation Scientists salaries?

    The median Conservation Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 1.8% below the national median of $67,950. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Conservation Scientists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Conservation Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $34,580 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,110.