Conservation Scientist salary in South Carolina
Conservation Scientists in South Carolina earn a median of $52,310 a year ($25.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $73,010. South Carolina ranks 50th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.13 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $60,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| Median | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| 75th percentile | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Average (mean) | $60,250 | $28.97 |
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 | $4,359.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,179.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,011.92 |
| Weekly | $1,005.96 |
| Hourly | $25.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Conservation Scientist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $57,550 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $45,910 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Microbiologist | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $169,440 | $81.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for conservation scientists in South Carolina is $52,310 a year, or $25.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in South Carolina earn at least $96,100 a year. The top 25% earn $69,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $42,270 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in South Carolina?
About 300 conservation scientists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.