Conservation Scientists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $81,280 +19.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.08
10th percentile $57,100
90th percentile $128,750
Employed locally 140
National median $67,950

Compare Conservation Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Conservation Scientists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,100
    25th
    $68,290
    50th (median)
    $81,280
    75th
    $100,760
    90th
    $128,750

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Conservation Scientists salary vs area income 79% Median Conservation Scientists salary is 21% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,680
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $96,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $91,770
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $83,220
    Carson City, NV $82,420
    California $81,620

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Conservation Scientists in San Diego, CA is $39.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.27 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Conservation Scientists salaries?

    The median Conservation Scientists salary in San Diego, CA is 19.6% above 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Conservation Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $57,100 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,290.