Conservation Scientists
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Also called: Agricultural Consultant, Agriculture Consultant, Aquatic Ecologist, Aquatic Habitat Restoration Technician, Botany Technician, Conservation Agent
Median pay
$73,010
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$47,550 – $110,410
People employed
25,950
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Conservation Scientists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What conservation scientists do
- 01Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- 02Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- 03Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- 04Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- 05Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- 06Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- English Language
- Biology
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from conservation scientists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health93% · +13%
- Environmental Restoration Planners88% · group pay
- Water Resource Specialists87% · group pay
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers86% · group pay
- Hydrologists85% · +32%
Change into conservation scientists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health93% · $82,220
- Environmental Restoration Planners90% · $82,220
- Water Resource Specialists90% · $167,220
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers89% · $141,900
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health86% · $55,090
Majors that lead here
- Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- Range Science and Management
- Natural Resources/Conservation, General
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
- Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
- Land Use Planning and Management/Development
- Forestry, General
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
- Ecology
- Environmental Biology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.