Conservation Scientist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Conservation Scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $79,230 a year ($38.09 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $54,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,690 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 23% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $64,460. The average (mean) salary is $87,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,420 | $26.16 |
| 25th percentile | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Median | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| 75th percentile | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Average (mean) | $87,300 | $41.97 |
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 | $6,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,301.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,047.31 |
| Weekly | $1,523.65 |
| Hourly | $38.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,780 | 50 |
| 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 |
See Conservation Scientist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Forester | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $79,230 a year, or $38.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $138,690 a year. The top 25% earn $101,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,420 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $58,630 or less.