Conservation Scientist salary in Washington
Conservation Scientists in Washington earn a median of $78,450 a year ($37.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,710 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $73,010. Washington ranks 13th of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.36 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| 25th percentile | $62,240 | $29.93 |
| Median | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| 75th percentile | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,710 | $51.30 |
| Average (mean) | $81,300 | $39.09 |
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 | $6,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,268.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,017.31 |
| Weekly | $1,508.65 |
| Hourly | $37.72 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,580 | 450 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,380 | 310 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,460 | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $78,460 | 320 |
| Yakima, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $77,600 | 50 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,190 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,320 | 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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Animal Scientist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for conservation scientists in Washington is $78,450 a year, or $37.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in Washington?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in Washington earn at least $106,710 a year. The top 25% earn $88,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,700 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $62,240 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in Washington?
About 1,270 conservation scientists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.