Conservation Scientist salary in Indiana
Conservation Scientists in Indiana earn a median of $64,570 a year ($31.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,020 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $73,010. Indiana ranks 41st of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.13 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $68,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| 25th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Median | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| 75th percentile | $84,070 | $40.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Average (mean) | $68,990 | $33.17 |
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 | $5,380.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,690.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,483.46 |
| Weekly | $1,241.73 |
| Hourly | $31.04 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,080 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $65,280 | 120 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,710 | 370 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Forester | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Microbiologist | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Indiana is $64,570 a year, or $31.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Indiana earn at least $105,020 a year. The top 25% earn $84,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,200 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $49,000 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Indiana?
About 430 conservation scientists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.