Conservation Scientist salary in Illinois
Conservation Scientists in Illinois earn a median of $69,590 a year ($33.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $73,010. Illinois ranks 34th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.12 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $75,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| 25th percentile | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Median | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| 75th percentile | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,590 | $56.53 |
| Average (mean) | $75,750 | $36.42 |
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 | $5,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,899.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,676.54 |
| Weekly | $1,338.27 |
| Hourly | $33.46 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $107,990 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,590 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,470 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,710 | 370 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,390 | 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,340 | $45.35 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Epidemiologist | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Forester | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| Animal Scientist | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Illinois is $69,590 a year, or $33.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Illinois earn at least $117,590 a year. The top 25% earn $95,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,020 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $51,630 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Illinois?
About 730 conservation scientists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.