Conservation Scientist salary in Rapid City, SD
Conservation Scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $70,450 a year ($33.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,370 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 8% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $76,400. There are 0.57 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| 25th percentile | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Median | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Average (mean) | $73,830 | $35.49 |
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 | $5,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,709.62 |
| Weekly | $1,354.81 |
| Hourly | $33.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Forester | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,260 | $32.82 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $63,720 | $30.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $70,450 a year, or $33.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $105,370 a year. The top 25% earn $91,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,430 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $51,540 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 conservation scientists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.