Conservation Scientist salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Conservation Scientists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $78,440 a year ($37.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,560 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 3% higher than the Maine statewide median of $75,900. 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 $80,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 25th percentile | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Median | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 75th percentile | $90,790 | $43.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,560 | $59.88 |
| Average (mean) | $80,540 | $38.72 |
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 | $6,536.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,268.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,016.92 |
| Weekly | $1,508.46 |
| Hourly | $37.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Epidemiologist | $65,950 | $31.71 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| Biological Technician | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,930 | $39.39 |
| School Psychologist | $84,680 | $40.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,240 | $30.88 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,780 | $25.38 |
| Chemist | $64,320 | $30.93 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $78,440 a year, or $37.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $124,560 a year. The top 25% earn $90,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,390 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $64,940 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 130 conservation scientists are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.