Conservation Scientist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Conservation Scientists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $57,550 a year ($27.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,030 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 10% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $52,310. There are 0.16 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,680 | $16.19 |
| 25th percentile | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| Median | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| 75th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,030 | $47.61 |
| Average (mean) | $62,650 | $30.12 |
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 | $4,795.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,397.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,213.46 |
| Weekly | $1,106.73 |
| Hourly | $27.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $45,910 | 80 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $162,230 | $78.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Chemist | $90,070 | $43.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| School Psychologist | $75,390 | $36.25 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $57,550 a year, or $27.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $99,030 a year. The top 25% earn $73,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,680 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $42,270 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 60 conservation scientists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.