Conservation Scientist salary in District of Columbia
Conservation Scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of $99,400 a year ($47.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,430 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $73,010. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for conservation scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,050, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,130 | $31.79 |
| 25th percentile | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Median | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| 75th percentile | $119,100 | $57.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,430 | $68.48 |
| Average (mean) | $99,050 | $47.62 |
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 | $8,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,141.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,823.08 |
| Weekly | $1,911.54 |
| Hourly | $47.79 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for conservation scientists
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,050 | $51.46 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,370 | $54.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $120,090 | $57.74 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $107,140 | $51.51 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $167,640 | $80.60 |
| Forester | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for conservation scientists in District of Columbia is $99,400 a year, or $47.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in District of Columbia earn at least $142,430 a year. The top 25% earn $119,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,130 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $77,060 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in District of Columbia?
About 110 conservation scientists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.