Conservation Scientist salary in Massachusetts
Conservation Scientists in Massachusetts earn a median of $78,740 a year ($37.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,460 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $73,010. Massachusetts ranks 12th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.21 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| 25th percentile | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Median | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| 75th percentile | $92,060 | $44.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,460 | $57.43 |
| Average (mean) | $82,710 | $39.76 |
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 | $6,561.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,280.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,028.46 |
| Weekly | $1,514.23 |
| Hourly | $37.85 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $82,090 | 60 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $80,880 | 90 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $80,290 | 80 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,580 | 480 |
| Worcester, MA | $77,620 | 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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Microbiologist | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| Epidemiologist | $115,890 | $55.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| Forester | $89,650 | $43.10 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $69,880 | $33.59 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Massachusetts is $78,740 a year, or $37.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Massachusetts earn at least $119,460 a year. The top 25% earn $92,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,070 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $65,210 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Massachusetts?
About 760 conservation scientists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.