Conservation Scientists pay in California
In California, the median pay for conservation scientists is $38.37 an hour ($79,810 a year). About 2,110 people work in this job there.
That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($73,010). California ranks 8th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for conservation scientists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $25.79 | $53,650 |
| 25% of workers | $30.92 | $64,310 |
| Half of workers (median) | $38.37 | $79,810 |
| 75% of workers | $50.48 | $104,990 |
| 90% of workers | $63.49 | $132,060 |
Conservation Scientists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $110,200 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $97,810 | 410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $80,900 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $80,150 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $78,980 | 220 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $78,340 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $78,200 | 150 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $77,280 | 30 |
| Salinas | $77,020 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $76,940 | 310 |
| Fresno | $76,770 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $75,900 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $72,860 | 50 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for conservation scientists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +5.3% over ten years, faster than average · about 2,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 |
| Microbiologists | $108,530 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 |
| Epidemiologists | $110,760 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.