Conservation Scientist salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Conservation Scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $83,580 a year ($40.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,030 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 3% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $80,790. There are 0.37 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| 25th percentile | $75,140 | $36.13 |
| Median | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| 75th percentile | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,030 | $69.72 |
| Average (mean) | $97,290 | $46.77 |
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 | $6,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,482.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,214.62 |
| Weekly | $1,607.31 |
| Hourly | $40.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | $95,470 | 90 |
| Bend, OR | $82,630 | 100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,380 | 310 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,460 | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $78,460 | 320 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $77,600 | 50 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,190 | 40 |
| Medford, OR | $76,960 | 40 |
| Corvallis, OR | $74,410 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,320 | 80 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $61,370 | 50 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $112,640 | $54.16 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $89,880 | $43.21 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $95,600 | $45.96 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Forester | $89,780 | $43.16 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $80,050 | $38.49 |
| Microbiologist | $90,460 | $43.49 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| Epidemiologist | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Biological Technician | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $86,680 | $41.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $83,580 a year, or $40.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $145,030 a year. The top 25% earn $115,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,970 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $75,140 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 450 conservation scientists are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.