Conservation Scientist salary in Maryland
Conservation Scientists in Maryland earn a median of $83,290 a year ($40.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,610 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $73,010. Maryland ranks 3rd of 51 states for conservation scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| 25th percentile | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Median | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| 75th percentile | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Average (mean) | $89,820 | $43.18 |
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 | $6,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,470.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,203.46 |
| Weekly | $1,601.73 |
| Hourly | $40.04 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $77,860 | 170 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,590 | 310 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Microbiologist | $108,470 | $52.15 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Epidemiologist | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,330 | $44.87 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $85,020 | $40.87 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Forester | $86,100 | $41.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Maryland is $83,290 a year, or $40.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Maryland earn at least $128,610 a year. The top 25% earn $107,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,760 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $66,850 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Maryland?
About 470 conservation scientists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.