Conservation Scientist salary in Minnesota
Conservation Scientists in Minnesota earn a median of $71,280 a year ($34.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $73,010. Minnesota ranks 29th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.26 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| 25th percentile | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Median | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| 75th percentile | $88,670 | $42.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Average (mean) | $74,570 | $35.85 |
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 | $5,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,970 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,741.54 |
| Weekly | $1,370.77 |
| Hourly | $34.27 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,680 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $79,440 | 50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,090 | 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,950 | $43.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Forester | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $104,460 | $50.22 |
| Microbiologist | $83,400 | $40.09 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| Animal Scientist | $88,640 | $42.62 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Chemist | $99,280 | $47.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Minnesota is $71,280 a year, or $34.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Minnesota earn at least $106,330 a year. The top 25% earn $88,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,740 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $51,630 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Minnesota?
About 770 conservation scientists are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.