How much does a conservation scientist make in California?
$79,810a year
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists in California. That is $38.37 an hour or $6,651 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.37
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 2,110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $53,650Median: $79,810Highest 10%: $132,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,650 | $25.79 | |
| 25th | $64,310 | $30.92 | |
| Median | $79,810 | $38.37 | |
| 75th | $105,000 | $50.48 | |
| 90th | $132,100 | $63.49 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $110,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $97,810 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $80,900 |
| Oxnard, CA | $80,150 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,980 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $78,340 |
| San Diego, CA | $78,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $77,280 |
| Salinas, CA | $77,020 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $76,940 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,770 |
| Riverside, CA | $75,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $72,860 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for conservation scientists.
| 5. Wyoming | $81,310 |
| 6. Oregon | $80,790 |
| 7. Louisiana | $80,190 |
| 8. California | $79,810 |
| 9. Wisconsin | $79,540 |
| 10. Alaska | $79,260 |
| 11. Utah | $78,850 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $38.37 ($79,810 a year).
Do conservation scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $79,810 against $73,010 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for conservation scientist pay?
California ranks 8 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays conservation scientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $110,200 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.