How much does a conservation scientist make in Santa Cruz?
$72,860a year
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $35.03 an hour or $6,072 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.03
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 62 of 132
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,950Median: $72,860Highest 10%: $182,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,950 | $25.46 | |
| 25th | $69,010 | $33.18 | |
| Median | $72,860 | $35.03 | |
| 75th | $115,900 | $55.72 | |
| 90th | $182,300 | $87.62 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists.
| San Jose, CA | $110,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $97,810 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $80,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,980 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $78,340 |
| San Diego, CA | $78,200 |
| Salinas, CA | $77,020 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $76,940 |
| Riverside, CA | $75,900 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $134,100 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,900 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $112,300 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $106,400 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $103,600 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,400 |
| Chemist | $95,840 |
| Life | $66,290 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $35.03 ($72,860 a year).
Do conservation scientists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $72,860 against $73,010 nationally, 0% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $79,810, so Santa Cruz pays 9% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for conservation scientist pay?
62 of 132 metro areas with data.
How much does a conservation scientist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,950 or less a year; the top 10% make $182,300 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.