Conservation Scientist salary in North Carolina
Conservation Scientists in North Carolina earn a median of $64,460 a year ($30.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,740 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $73,010. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.11 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $72,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Median | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| 75th percentile | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,740 | $53.72 |
| Average (mean) | $72,190 | $34.71 |
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 | $5,371.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,685.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,479.23 |
| Weekly | $1,239.62 |
| Hourly | $30.99 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,780 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | n/a |
| Asheville, NC | $65,170 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 150 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for conservation scientists in North Carolina is $64,460 a year, or $30.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in North Carolina earn at least $111,740 a year. The top 25% earn $81,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,190 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $50,300 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in North Carolina?
About 540 conservation scientists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.