Conservation Scientist salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Conservation Scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $63,790 a year ($30.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,920 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $73,010. Pay here is 18% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $77,380. There are 0.06 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $70,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| 25th percentile | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Median | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| 75th percentile | $82,380 | $39.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Average (mean) | $70,680 | $33.98 |
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 | $5,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,657.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,453.46 |
| Weekly | $1,226.73 |
| Hourly | $30.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,780 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | n/a |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $68,560 | 30 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,180 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $65,170 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,300 | 150 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,020 | $43.28 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $107,910 | $51.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,010 | $43.76 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Physicist | $110,930 | $53.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| School Psychologist | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,820 | $23.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for conservation scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $63,790 a year, or $30.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $101,920 a year. The top 25% earn $82,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,210 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $46,210 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 40 conservation scientists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.