Conservation Scientist salary in Montana
Conservation Scientists in Montana earn a median of $73,920 a year ($35.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $73,010. Montana ranks 24th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 1.1 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Median | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 75th percentile | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Average (mean) | $76,360 | $36.71 |
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 | $6,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,843.08 |
| Weekly | $1,421.54 |
| Hourly | $35.54 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $84,250 | 80 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Forester | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Microbiologist | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Montana is $73,920 a year, or $35.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Montana?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Montana earn at least $106,330 a year. The top 25% earn $88,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,660 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $57,530 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Montana?
About 560 conservation scientists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.