Conservation Scientist salary in Missoula, MT
Conservation Scientists in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $84,250 a year ($40.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,970 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 14% higher than the Montana statewide median of $73,920. There are 1.2 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 25th percentile | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Median | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| 75th percentile | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,970 | $65.85 |
| Average (mean) | $89,220 | $42.90 |
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 | $7,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,510.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,240.38 |
| Weekly | $1,620.19 |
| Hourly | $40.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $75,430 | 90 |
| Helena, MT | $69,240 | 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 |
See Conservation Scientist pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $81,350 | $39.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,940 | $37.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Biological Technician | $53,330 | $25.64 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,260 | $25.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Missoula, MT metro area is $84,250 a year, or $40.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $136,970 a year. The top 25% earn $106,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,660 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $65,240 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Missoula, MT?
About 80 conservation scientists are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.