Conservation Scientists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $81,640 +20.1% vs national
Median hourly $39.25
10th percentile $46,290
90th percentile $180,210
Employed locally 600
National median $67,950

Compare Conservation Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Conservation Scientists
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,290
    25th
    $64,700
    50th (median)
    $81,640
    75th
    $117,750
    90th
    $180,210

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Conservation Scientists salary vs area income 66% Median Conservation Scientists salary is 34% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other$105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$112,120
    Economists$157,980
    Political Scientists$153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Conservation Scientists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $39.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.63 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Conservation Scientists salaries?

    The median Conservation Scientists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 20.1% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Conservation Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $46,290 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,700.