Conservation Scientist salary in Salem, OR
Conservation Scientists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $95,470 a year ($45.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,480 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 18% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $80,790. There are 0.49 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,780, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| 25th percentile | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Median | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| 75th percentile | $113,320 | $54.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| Average (mean) | $93,780 | $45.09 |
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 | $7,955.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,977.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,671.92 |
| Weekly | $1,835.96 |
| Hourly | $45.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,580 | 450 |
| Bend, OR | $82,630 | 100 |
| Medford, OR | $76,960 | 40 |
| Corvallis, OR | $74,410 | 60 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $61,370 | 50 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $117,550 | $56.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,960 | $41.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $143,980 | $69.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| School Psychologist | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Economist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Salem, OR metro area is $95,470 a year, or $45.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $115,480 a year. The top 25% earn $113,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,300 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $76,490 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Salem, OR?
About 90 conservation scientists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.