Conservation Scientist Salary in Montana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Conservation Scientists in Montana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Montana Median
$73,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $73,010
State Rank
#24 of 51
560 employed here

How much does a Conservation Scientist make in Montana?

Conservation Scientists in Montana take home a median of $73,920 annually — roughly $35.54 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $73,010.

Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $48,660 while the top 10% make $106,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,530 and $88,710 a year.

Conservation Scientist salary range in Montana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,660$23.39
25th percentile (early career)$57,530$27.66
50th percentile (median)$73,920$35.54
75th percentile (experienced)$88,710$42.65
90th percentile (top earners)$106,330$51.12

How Montana compares

Montana ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories for Conservation Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$99,400
2Colorado$84,820
3Maryland$83,290
4Idaho$81,330
5Wyoming$81,310

Working as a Conservation Scientist in Montana

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 Montana pay ($73,920) 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 Montana?
The median Conservation Scientist salary in Montana is $73,920 per year, or about $35.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,660 at the entry level to $106,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Conservation Scientists about 1% more than the national median of $73,010. Montana ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Conservation Scientists?
Yes on pay — Montana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,920 a year. About 560 Conservation Scientists are employed in Montana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.