Conservation Scientist salary in Colorado
Conservation Scientists in Colorado earn a median of $84,820 a year ($40.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,350 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $73,010. Colorado ranks 2nd of 51 states for conservation scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.43 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 25th percentile | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Median | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| 75th percentile | $108,540 | $52.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Average (mean) | $89,530 | $43.04 |
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 | $7,068.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,534.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,262.31 |
| Weekly | $1,631.15 |
| Hourly | $40.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Conservation Scientist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $101,380 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Microbiologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| Forester | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Colorado is $84,820 a year, or $40.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Colorado earn at least $134,350 a year. The top 25% earn $108,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,710 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $67,770 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Colorado?
About 1,230 conservation scientists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.