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.
Conservation Scientists
SOC: 19-1031 O*NET: 19-1031.00
Median Salary
$67,950
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Conservation Scientists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,260
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,190
25th percentile
Median
$67,950
50th percentile
Experienced
$87,980
75th percentile
Top Earners
$107,720
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,260
25th
$53,190
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,950
Mean: $74,310
75th
$87,980
90th
$107,720
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $62,460 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $53,190 and $87,980
- •Salary spread is 51.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 25,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:28,500
Top Industries
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations20.5%
Other Services (except Public Administration)20.5%
Social Advocacy Organizations19.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.4%
Annual Openings:2,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)28,500
Current
2034 (Projected)29,500
+3.4%
+1,000
Employment Change
+3.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Conservation Scientists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
2,070 jobs$65,1700.90x
California
1,940 jobs$81,6200.65x
Pennsylvania
1,410 jobs$53,1101.41x
Colorado
1,220 jobs$80,2402.55x
Wisconsin
1,010 jobs$75,9402.09x
Washington
940 jobs$81,2201.60x
Oregon
880 jobs$86,1702.70x
New York
750 jobs$65,5500.47x
Massachusetts
730 jobs$76,7501.20x
Illinois
730 jobs$72,5500.73x
Virginia
720 jobs$67,2001.07x
Florida
720 jobs$52,8200.44x
Ohio
700 jobs$59,7800.77x
Minnesota
690 jobs$77,1801.42x
Michigan
630 jobs$61,0100.87x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Systems Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Computer Network Support Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Curators82%
5 shared skills
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Coordination
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Conservation Scientists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (10)General Responsibilities (7)Management & Supervision (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Conservation Scientists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Conservation Scientists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value relationships
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Conservation Scientists
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.39
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.13
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.09
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.04
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.1
Cooperation
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Independence
4.0
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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