Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in Alaska make a median of $79,260 a year, or about $38.1 an hour. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $75,985 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 29.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $79K get you in Alaska?
About conservation scientists
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What this looks like in Alaska
Conservation scientists pay in Alaska tracks closely to the national median, $79K locally vs. $73K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College | $78K | -2% | 50 |
| Anchorage | $76K | -4% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 30.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $54K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,230/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is conservation scientist a high-paying job in Alaska?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $79K locally vs. $73K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
Alaska pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in Alaska?
The median is $79,260 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,830, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $135,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,346/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 30.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a conservation scientists salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median conservation scientists salary is worth about $75,985 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do conservation scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.