How much does a conservation scientist make in Santa Maria?
$78,340a year
Median yearly pay for conservation scientists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $37.66 an hour or $6,528 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.66
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 39 of 132
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $58,780Median: $78,340Highest 10%: $124,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,780 | $28.26 | |
| 25th | $64,830 | $31.17 | |
| Median | $78,340 | $37.66 | |
| 75th | $105,700 | $50.83 | |
| 90th | $124,000 | $59.60 |
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 |
| San Diego, CA | $78,200 |
| Salinas, CA | $77,020 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $76,940 |
| Riverside, CA | $75,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $72,860 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $128,600 |
| School Psychologist | $128,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $124,800 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $105,500 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $105,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $104,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $102,100 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $87,260 |
| Chemist | $85,930 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technician | $66,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conservation scientist make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $37.66 ($78,340 a year).
Do conservation scientists make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $78,340 against $73,010 nationally, 7% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $79,810, so Santa Maria pays 2% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for conservation scientist pay?
39 of 132 metro areas with data.
How much does a conservation scientist make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $58,780 or less a year; the top 10% make $124,000 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.