How much does a conservation scientist make in Chicago?
$62,710a year
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $30.15 an hour or $5,226 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.15
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among cities
- 105 of 132
- Jobs in the area
- 370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,500Median: $62,710Highest 10%: $98,390
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,500 | $17.55 | |
| 25th | $47,680 | $22.92 | |
| Median | $62,710 | $30.15 | |
| 75th | $78,540 | $37.76 | |
| 90th | $98,390 | $47.30 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists.
| St. Louis, MO | $62,390 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $30.15 ($62,710 a year).
Do conservation scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $62,710 against $73,010 nationally, 14% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $69,590, so Chicago pays 10% less.
Where does Chicago rank for conservation scientist pay?
105 of 132 metro areas with data.
How much does a conservation scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $98,390 or more.
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.