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Career overview · SOC 19-1031

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: Conservationist · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Quality Scientist · Erosion Control Specialist · Land Reclamation Specialist · Land Resource Specialist

Median pay (national)
$67,950
$45,260–$107,720 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
25,590
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.4%
~2,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for conservation scientists shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $107,720 versus $45,260 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $67,950 leaves roughly 59% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.4% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $86,170, +27% vs the national median), while Kansas sits lowest at $45,880 — a 88% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  • Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
  • Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
  • Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
  • Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
  • Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
  • Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
  • Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
  • Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
  • Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.

Tools & technology

  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Clover Technology GALENA
  • CroPMan
  • CropSyst Suite
  • Datasurge GEOPRO
  • Delft GeoSystems MStab
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • ESRI ArcView
  • GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W

Knowledge areas

  • English Language
  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Geography
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Chemistry
  • Law and Government
  • Computers and Electronics