Conservation Scientist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Conservation Scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $57,110 a year ($27.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,760 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 10% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $63,500. There are 0.06 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $64,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| Median | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| 75th percentile | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,760 | $46.04 |
| Average (mean) | $64,300 | $30.91 |
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 | $4,759.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,379.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,196.54 |
| Weekly | $1,098.27 |
| Hourly | $27.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,580 | 120 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $65,110 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,170 | 70 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,370 | $40.08 |
| Microbiologist | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $104,160 | $50.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $57,110 a year, or $27.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $95,760 a year. The top 25% earn $80,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,960 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $40,470 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 120 conservation scientists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.