Conservation Scientist salary in Columbia, SC
Conservation Scientists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $45,910 a year ($22.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,280 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 12% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $52,310. There are 0.20 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| Median | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| 75th percentile | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,280 | $46.29 |
| Average (mean) | $55,320 | $26.60 |
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 | $3,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,912.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,765.77 |
| Weekly | $882.88 |
| Hourly | $22.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $57,550 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $45,910 a year, or $22.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $96,280 a year. The top 25% earn $64,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $39,880 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Columbia, SC?
About 80 conservation scientists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.