Conservation Scientist salary in Helena, MT
Conservation Scientists in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $69,240 a year ($33.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,880 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 6% lower than the Montana statewide median of $73,920. There are 1.1 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| 25th percentile | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Median | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| 75th percentile | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| Average (mean) | $74,380 | $35.76 |
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 | $5,770 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,885 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,663.08 |
| Weekly | $1,331.54 |
| Hourly | $33.29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $84,250 | 80 |
| Bozeman, MT | $75,430 | 90 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,230 | $40.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $82,380 | $39.60 |
| Biological Technician | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Hydrologist | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Economist | $89,340 | $42.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Helena, MT metro area is $69,240 a year, or $33.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $97,880 a year. The top 25% earn $81,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,030 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $63,330 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Helena, MT?
About 50 conservation scientists are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.