Conservation Scientist salary in Richmond, VA
Conservation Scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $66,180 a year ($31.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,990 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 14% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $77,380. There are 0.10 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $77,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,710 | $21.02 |
| 25th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Median | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| 75th percentile | $95,660 | $45.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Average (mean) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
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 | $5,515 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,757.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,545.38 |
| Weekly | $1,272.69 |
| Hourly | $31.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $68,560 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,790 | 40 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| Forester | $66,430 | $31.94 |
| Microbiologist | $90,930 | $43.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $66,180 a year, or $31.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $107,990 a year. The top 25% earn $95,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,710 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $58,090 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Richmond, VA?
About 60 conservation scientists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.