Conservation Scientists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $78,490 +15.5% vs national
Median hourly $37.73
10th percentile $52,690
90th percentile $191,880
Employed locally 40
National median $67,950

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Conservation Scientists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,690
    25th
    $65,710
    50th (median)
    $78,490
    75th
    $107,520
    90th
    $191,880

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Conservation Scientists salary vs area income 72% Median Conservation Scientists salary is 28% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners$109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$86,680
    Biological Technicians$59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Conservation Scientists in Santa Cruz, CA is $37.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.62 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Conservation Scientists salaries?

    The median Conservation Scientists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 15.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Conservation Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $52,690 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,710.