Conservation Scientist salary in West Virginia
Conservation Scientists in West Virginia earn a median of $69,910 a year ($33.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,470 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $73,010. West Virginia ranks 33rd of 51 states for conservation scientists pay. There are 0.23 conservation scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conservation scientists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| 25th percentile | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Median | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,470 | $64.17 |
| Average (mean) | $75,350 | $36.23 |
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 | $5,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,912.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,688.85 |
| Weekly | $1,344.42 |
| Hourly | $33.61 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,360 | 490 |
| Charleston, WV | $81,760 | n/a |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Epidemiologist | $70,540 | $33.91 |
| Forester | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Microbiologist | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,560 | $41.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| School Psychologist | $75,220 | $36.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,750 | $28.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for conservation scientists in West Virginia is $69,910 a year, or $33.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conservation scientists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of conservation scientists in West Virginia earn at least $133,470 a year. The top 25% earn $91,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for conservation scientists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,670 a year, and a quarter of conservation scientists earn $47,740 or less.
How many conservation scientists work in West Virginia?
About 160 conservation scientists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.