Conservation Scientist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Conservation Scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $82,380 a year ($39.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,110 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 5% higher than the Washington statewide median of $78,450. There are 0.15 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| 25th percentile | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Median | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| 75th percentile | $103,980 | $49.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Average (mean) | $92,380 | $44.41 |
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 | $6,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,168.46 |
| Weekly | $1,584.23 |
| Hourly | $39.61 |
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 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,460 | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $78,460 | 320 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $77,600 | 50 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,190 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,320 | 80 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Forester | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $82,380 a year, or $39.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $128,110 a year. The top 25% earn $103,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,650 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $77,180 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 310 conservation scientists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.