Conservation Scientist salary in Tennessee
Conservation Scientists in Tennessee earn a median of $70,500 a year ($33.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $73,010. Tennessee ranks 31st of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.08 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $75,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 25th percentile | $53,080 | $25.52 |
| Median | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| 75th percentile | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Average (mean) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
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 | $5,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,937.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,711.54 |
| Weekly | $1,355.77 |
| Hourly | $33.90 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $76,210 | 50 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Microbiologist | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $108,770 | $52.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Tennessee is $70,500 a year, or $33.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Tennessee earn at least $109,300 a year. The top 25% earn $94,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,190 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $53,080 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Tennessee?
About 250 conservation scientists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.