Conservation Scientist salary in Charleston, WV
Conservation Scientists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $81,760 a year ($39.31 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $44,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,610 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 17% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $69,910. The average (mean) salary is $83,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| 25th percentile | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Median | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| 75th percentile | $93,360 | $44.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,610 | $65.20 |
| Average (mean) | $83,560 | $40.18 |
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 | $6,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,406.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,144.62 |
| Weekly | $1,572.31 |
| Hourly | $39.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| School Psychologist | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Chemist | $88,640 | $42.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,420 | $29.05 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, 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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Charleston, WV metro area is $81,760 a year, or $39.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $135,610 a year. The top 25% earn $93,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,880 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $52,960 or less.