Conservation Scientist salary in New Mexico
Conservation Scientists in New Mexico earn a median of $76,800 a year ($36.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,010 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $73,010. New Mexico ranks 18th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.38 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| 25th percentile | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Median | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| 75th percentile | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,010 | $53.37 |
| Average (mean) | $79,030 | $38.00 |
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 | $6,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,200 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,953.85 |
| Weekly | $1,476.92 |
| Hourly | $36.92 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,420 | 90 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $72,280 | 60 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $69,480 | $33.41 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Forester | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Physicist | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,330 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for conservation scientists in New Mexico is $76,800 a year, or $36.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in New Mexico earn at least $111,010 a year. The top 25% earn $94,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,520 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $56,620 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in New Mexico?
About 330 conservation scientists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.