Conservation Scientist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Conservation Scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $62,390 a year ($30.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,590 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 1% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $63,130. There are 0.11 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $66,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,430 | $18.96 |
| 25th percentile | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Median | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| 75th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,590 | $50.76 |
| Average (mean) | $66,950 | $32.19 |
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 | $5,199.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,599.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,399.62 |
| Weekly | $1,199.81 |
| Hourly | $30.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $107,990 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,590 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $66,230 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,470 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $63,050 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,710 | 370 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $56,310 | 220 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Microbiologist | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Forester | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $62,390 a year, or $30.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $105,590 a year. The top 25% earn $79,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,430 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $50,750 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 150 conservation scientists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.