Conservation Scientist salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Conservation Scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $64,470 a year ($30.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,890 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 7% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $69,590. 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 $82,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| 25th percentile | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Median | $64,470 | $30.99 |
| 75th percentile | $101,430 | $48.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,890 | $77.83 |
| Average (mean) | $82,690 | $39.76 |
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 | $5,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,686.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,479.62 |
| Weekly | $1,239.81 |
| Hourly | $30.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $107,990 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,590 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,710 | 370 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,390 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Microbiologist | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Biological Technician | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Chemist | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Agricultural Technician | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| School Psychologist | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,110 | $49.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $64,470 a year, or $30.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $161,890 a year. The top 25% earn $101,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,160 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $51,630 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 40 conservation scientists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.