Conservation Scientist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Conservation Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $99,360 a year ($47.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,350 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is about the same as the District of Columbia statewide median of $99,400. There are 0.15 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $108,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| 25th percentile | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Median | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| 75th percentile | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,350 | $88.63 |
| Average (mean) | $108,770 | $52.29 |
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 | $8,280 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,140 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,821.54 |
| Weekly | $1,910.77 |
| Hourly | $47.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV | $81,760 | n/a |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $77,860 | 170 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $68,560 | 30 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,180 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,590 | 310 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Microbiologist | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,780 | $54.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $126,120 | $60.63 |
| Forester | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Animal Scientist | $82,810 | $39.81 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $99,360 a year, or $47.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $184,350 a year. The top 25% earn $132,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,460 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $75,040 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 490 conservation scientists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.