Conservation Scientist salary in Michigan
Conservation Scientists in Michigan earn a median of $63,500 a year ($30.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $73,010. Michigan ranks 45th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.19 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| 25th percentile | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Median | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| 75th percentile | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Average (mean) | $74,140 | $35.64 |
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 | $5,291.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,645.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,442.31 |
| Weekly | $1,221.15 |
| Hourly | $30.53 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,580 | 120 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $65,110 | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $57,110 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,170 | 70 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,340 | $52.57 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Microbiologist | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Forester | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Animal Scientist | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Michigan is $63,500 a year, or $30.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Michigan earn at least $109,300 a year. The top 25% earn $89,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,680 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $52,980 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Michigan?
About 820 conservation scientists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.