Conservation Scientist salary in Asheville, NC
Conservation Scientists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $65,170 a year ($31.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $64,460. There are 0.33 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| 25th percentile | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Median | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 75th percentile | $86,710 | $41.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $76,000 | $36.54 |
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 | $5,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,715.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,506.54 |
| Weekly | $1,253.27 |
| Hourly | $31.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Conservation Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,780 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | n/a |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 150 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,510 | $46.40 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,960 | $35.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,950 | $37.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $152,550 | $73.34 |
| Chemist | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| School Psychologist | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Biological Technician | $52,440 | $25.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
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 Asheville, NC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $65,170 a year, or $31.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $86,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,020 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $54,840 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Asheville, NC?
About 60 conservation scientists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.