Conservation Scientist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Conservation Scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $81,780 a year ($39.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,680 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 27% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $64,460. There are 0.14 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| 25th percentile | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Median | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| 75th percentile | $134,370 | $64.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,680 | $71.00 |
| Average (mean) | $94,080 | $45.23 |
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 | $6,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,145.38 |
| Weekly | $1,572.69 |
| Hourly | $39.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | n/a |
| Asheville, NC | $65,170 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
| 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $81,780 a year, or $39.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $147,680 a year. The top 25% earn $134,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,970 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $63,030 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 50 conservation scientists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.