Conservation Scientist salary in Kentucky
Conservation Scientists in Kentucky earn a median of $71,980 a year ($34.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $73,010. Kentucky ranks 28th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.09 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $74,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 25th percentile | $53,380 | $25.67 |
| Median | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| 75th percentile | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Average (mean) | $74,970 | $36.04 |
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 | $5,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,999.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,768.46 |
| Weekly | $1,384.23 |
| Hourly | $34.61 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,080 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Forester | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Kentucky is $71,980 a year, or $34.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Kentucky earn at least $106,330 a year. The top 25% earn $96,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,710 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $53,380 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Kentucky?
About 180 conservation scientists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.