Conservation Scientist salary in Madison, WI
Conservation Scientists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $85,110 a year ($40.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,100 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 7% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $79,540. There are 0.65 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,090, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 25th percentile | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| Median | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| 75th percentile | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,100 | $50.53 |
| Average (mean) | $83,090 | $39.95 |
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 | $7,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,273.46 |
| Weekly | $1,636.73 |
| Hourly | $40.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WI | $86,070 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $81,560 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,680 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $79,440 | 50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,090 | 310 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $66,680 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Animal Scientist | $84,310 | $40.54 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Forester | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Madison, WI metro area is $85,110 a year, or $40.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $105,100 a year. The top 25% earn $99,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,750 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $70,760 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Madison, WI?
About 260 conservation scientists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.