Conservation Scientist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Conservation Scientists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $58,960 a year ($28.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,170 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,480. There are 0.11 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $58,470, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,200 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Median | $58,960 | $28.34 |
| 75th percentile | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,170 | $39.03 |
| Average (mean) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
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 | $4,913.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,456.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,267.69 |
| Weekly | $1,133.85 |
| Hourly | $28.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,910 | 50 |
| Reading, PA | $60,000 | 30 |
| 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 |
See Conservation Scientist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $125,020 | $60.11 |
| Microbiologist | $59,940 | $28.82 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Epidemiologist | $91,800 | $44.14 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $58,960 a year, or $28.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $81,170 a year. The top 25% earn $66,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,200 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $43,120 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 120 conservation scientists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.