Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Conservation Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists out-earn Conservation Scientists by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Conservation Scientists land at $73,010 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists at $90,150. The education gap is real: conservation scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Conservation Scientists is District of Columbia ($99,400); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Conservation Scientists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$73,010
$90,150
Hourly rate
$35.1/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,550
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$110,410
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
25,950
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
3.4%
12.5%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Conservation Scientists median pay.

State
Conservation Scientists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
District of Columbia
$99,400
$111,530
Colorado
$84,820
$101,400
Oregon
$80,790
$95,240
California
$79,810
$102,840
Alaska
$79,260
$99,270
Massachusetts
$78,740
$103,970
Washington
$78,450
$102,920
New York
$76,990
$95,720
Rhode Island
$76,130
$101,740
Maine
$75,900
$97,640
New Hampshire
$74,650
$101,260
Connecticut
$73,860
$96,110
Minnesota
$71,280
$96,990
Illinois
$69,590
$98,270
Hawaii
$65,740
$94,840

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Conservation Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $73,010 for Conservation Scientists versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Conservation Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.5% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Conservation Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Conservation Scientists typically requires bachelor's degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Conservation Scientists get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Conservation Scientists at $99,400/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Conservation Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Conservation Scientists earn $99,400 vs. $111,530 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Conservation Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Conservation Scientists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists by take-home payExplore →How to become a conservation scientistsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →