Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in Minnesota make a median of $71,280 a year, or about $34.27 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $76,976 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $71K get you in Minnesota?
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Conservation scientists pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $71K locally vs. $73K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in Minnesota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $80K | +12% | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $75K | +5% | 310 |
Compare to other states
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $71K, rent takes 30.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,744/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $71K locally vs. $73K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
Minnesota pays $71K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in Minnesota?
The median is $71,280 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,740, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $106,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,593/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 30.1% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $76,976 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.