Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in Indiana make a median of $64,570 a year, or about $31.04 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.81), which stretches that salary to about $70,330 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,144/month, or 26.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Indiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in Indiana?
About conservation scientists
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What this looks like in Indiana
Pay for conservation scientists in Indiana runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $73K. Rent runs $1,144/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.81 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Indiana
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $105K or more, a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in Indiana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $65K | +1% | 120 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Indiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Indiana?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 26.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in Indiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,352/month. At HUD’s $1,144/month FMR, rent would take 49% 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 Indiana?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $65K here vs. $73K nationally. Cost of living is 8% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Indiana compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
Indiana pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.81), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — below the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in Indiana?
The median is $64,570 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,200, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $105,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Indiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,320/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 26.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a conservation scientists salary go in Indiana?
Indiana has a Regional Price Parity of 91.81 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median conservation scientists salary is worth about $70,330 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.