Conservation Scientist salary
From 45 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-1031: Conservation Scientists
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 60% of Conservation Scientist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 23% since FY2021. From $52,000 in FY2021 to $64,115 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Conservation Scientist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 45 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Conservation Scientist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-1031, Conservation Scientists). The median base salary is $66,000, 46% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $58,008 and $82,100. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 60% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 60% of filings
Mid-level · 40% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $56,580 | 18 |
| Level II · Qualified | $65,229 | 12 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Conservation Scientist does
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.
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Conservation Scientists (19-1031.00). This section includes information from the 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.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Conservation Scientists), the median annual wage was $73,010 in May 2025, with 25,950 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $66,000, 10% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,728 | $47,550 |
| 25th percentile | $58,008 | $57,700 |
| Median | $66,000 | $73,010 |
| 75th percentile | $82,100 | $91,560 |
| 90th percentile | $90,276 | $110,410 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,728 |
| 25th | $58,008 |
| 50th (median) | $66,000 |
| 75th | $82,100 |
| 90th | $90,276 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2021 | $52,000 | $50,000 | $63,456 | 21 |
| FY2022 | $70,000 | $57,741 | $90,000 | 25 |
| FY2023 | $65,000 | $53,352 | $73,850 | 25 |
| FY2024 | $69,223 | $59,750 | $86,462 | 36 |
| FY2025 | $71,448 | $57,444 | $88,299 | 27 |
| FY2026 | $64,115 | $60,250 | $78,800 | 18 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Conservation Scientist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Conservation Scientist jobs is $66,000 (45 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $58,008 and $82,100.
What does an entry-level Conservation Scientist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $56,580. Level I accounts for 60% of Conservation Scientist filings.
Do H-1B Conservation Scientists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($66,000) is 10% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($73,010, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.