Conservation Scientist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Conservation Scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $62,710 a year ($30.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,390 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 10% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $69,590. There are 0.08 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $65,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Median | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| 75th percentile | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Average (mean) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
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 | $5,225.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,612.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,411.92 |
| Weekly | $1,205.96 |
| Hourly | $30.15 |
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 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,080 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $65,280 | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,470 | 40 |
| 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Forester | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $62,710 a year, or $30.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $98,390 a year. The top 25% earn $78,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $47,680 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 370 conservation scientists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.