Conservation Scientist salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Conservation Scientists in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area earn a median of $68,560 a year ($32.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,870 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 11% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $77,380. There are 0.46 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,770 | $26.81 |
| 25th percentile | $68,560 | $32.96 |
| Median | $68,560 | $32.96 |
| 75th percentile | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,870 | $49.46 |
| Average (mean) | $74,980 | $36.05 |
Half of conservation scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,713.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,856.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,636.92 |
| Weekly | $1,318.46 |
| Hourly | $32.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Conservation Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,180 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for conservation scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99,400 |
| Colorado | $84,820 |
| Maryland | $83,290 |
| Idaho | $81,330 |
| Wyoming | $81,310 |
| Oregon | $80,790 |
| Louisiana | $80,190 |
| California | $79,810 |
| Wisconsin | $79,540 |
| Alaska | $79,260 |
See Conservation Scientist pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| Biological Technician | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,670 | $27.73 |
| Chemist | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $70,820 | $34.05 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area is $68,560 a year, or $32.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area earn at least $102,870 a year. The top 25% earn $79,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,770 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $68,560 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
About 30 conservation scientists are employed in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.