Conservation Scientist salary in Santa Fe, NM
Conservation Scientists in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $72,280 a year ($34.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,220 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 6% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $76,800. There are 0.96 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,240, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,850 | $22.05 |
| 25th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Median | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| 75th percentile | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Average (mean) | $72,240 | $34.73 |
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 | $6,023.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,011.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,780 |
| Weekly | $1,390 |
| Hourly | $34.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,420 | 90 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $131,470 | $63.21 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,280 | $28.02 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $67,040 | $32.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $76,730 | $36.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, NM
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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $72,280 a year, or $34.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $108,220 a year. The top 25% earn $84,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,850 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $49,000 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 60 conservation scientists are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.