California Median
$79,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $73,010
State Rank
#8 of 51
2,110 employed here
How much does a Conservation Scientist make in California?
Conservation Scientists in California take home a median of $79,810 annually — roughly $38.37 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $73,010.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $53,650 while the top 10% make $132,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,310 and $104,990 a year.
Conservation Scientist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,650 | $25.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,310 | $30.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,810 | $38.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,990 | $50.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,060 | $63.49 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Conservation Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Conservation Scientist salary in other states
District of Columbia $99,400Colorado $84,820Maryland $83,290Idaho $81,330Wyoming $81,310Oregon $80,790Louisiana $80,190Wisconsin $79,540Alaska $79,260Utah $78,850Massachusetts $78,740Washington $78,450Virginia $77,380North Dakota $77,280Alabama $77,000New York $76,990New Mexico $76,800Nebraska $76,400South Dakota $76,400Rhode Island $76,130Maine $75,900New Hampshire $74,650Montana $73,920Connecticut $73,860Arkansas $73,320Nevada $73,030Kentucky $71,980Minnesota $71,280Oklahoma $71,270Tennessee $70,500Vermont $70,130West Virginia $69,910Illinois $69,590Georgia $69,240Iowa $69,240Texas $68,620Kansas $67,200Arizona $66,750Hawaii $65,740Indiana $64,570North Carolina $64,460New Jersey $64,020Delaware $63,850Michigan $63,500Ohio $63,160Missouri $63,130Pennsylvania $61,480Mississippi $59,510South Carolina $52,310Florida $51,130
Working as a Conservation Scientist in California
Nationally, about 26,000 people work as Conservation Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($79,810) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Conservation Scientist make in California?
The median Conservation Scientist salary in California is $79,810 per year, or about $38.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,650 at the entry level to $132,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Conservation Scientists about 9% more than the national median of $73,010. California ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Conservation Scientists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,810 a year. About 2,110 Conservation Scientists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Conservation Scientist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.