Conservation Scientist salary in Reading, PA
Conservation Scientists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $60,000 a year ($28.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,480. There are 0.20 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| 25th percentile | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Median | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 75th percentile | $73,180 | $35.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Average (mean) | $61,100 | $29.37 |
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 | $5,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,500 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,307.69 |
| Weekly | $1,153.85 |
| Hourly | $28.85 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Conservation Scientist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,280 | $41.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,880 | $45.13 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Chemist | $81,520 | $39.19 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,380 | $41.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| School Psychologist | $85,900 | $41.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Biological Technician | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,620 | $40.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Reading, PA metro area is $60,000 a year, or $28.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $98,970 a year. The top 25% earn $73,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,840 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $38,840 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Reading, PA?
About 30 conservation scientists are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.