Conservation Scientist salary in Pennsylvania
Conservation Scientists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,480 a year ($29.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,100 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pennsylvania ranks 48th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.15 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 25th percentile | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Median | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| 75th percentile | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,100 | $44.76 |
| Average (mean) | $63,760 | $30.65 |
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 | $5,123.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,561.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,364.62 |
| Weekly | $1,182.31 |
| Hourly | $29.56 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,910 | 50 |
| Reading, PA | $60,000 | 30 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,960 | 120 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,590 | 310 |
| Lancaster, PA | $54,350 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $54,250 | 30 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Microbiologist | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| Epidemiologist | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Forester | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Pennsylvania is $61,480 a year, or $29.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Pennsylvania earn at least $93,100 a year. The top 25% earn $76,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,560 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $48,310 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Pennsylvania?
About 900 conservation scientists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.