Conservation Scientist salary in South Dakota
Conservation Scientists in South Dakota earn a median of $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,420 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $73,010. South Dakota ranks 20th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.78 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,060, close to the median.
Pay range for conservation scientists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| 25th percentile | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Median | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 75th percentile | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Average (mean) | $76,060 | $36.57 |
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 | $6,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,183.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,938.46 |
| Weekly | $1,469.23 |
| Hourly | $36.73 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $70,450 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Forester | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Microbiologist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for conservation scientists in South Dakota is $76,400 a year, or $36.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in South Dakota earn at least $100,420 a year. The top 25% earn $88,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,100 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $61,110 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in South Dakota?
About 360 conservation scientists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.