Conservation Scientist salary in Boulder, CO
Conservation Scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $101,380 a year ($48.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,670 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 20% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $84,820. There are 0.35 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,160, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,440 | $34.35 |
| 25th percentile | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| Median | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| 75th percentile | $112,010 | $53.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,670 | $66.19 |
| Average (mean) | $98,160 | $47.19 |
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 | $8,448.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,224.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,899.23 |
| Weekly | $1,949.62 |
| Hourly | $48.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $84,820 | 650 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $81,190 | 230 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $140,710 | $67.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $130,310 | $62.65 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| Chemist | $105,590 | $50.77 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Biological Technician | $75,390 | $36.24 |
| School Psychologist | $143,020 | $68.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,710 | $48.90 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,750 | $50.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $101,380 a year, or $48.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $137,670 a year. The top 25% earn $112,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,440 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $80,910 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Boulder, CO?
About 70 conservation scientists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.