Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in Missouri make a median of $63,130 a year, or about $30.35 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $70,957 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $63K get you in Missouri?
About conservation scientists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Pay for conservation scientists in Missouri runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $73K. Rent runs $1,097/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Missouri
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in Missouri
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $66K | +5% | 40 |
| Kansas City | $63K | -0% | 40 |
| St. Louis | $62K | -1% | 150 |
| Jefferson City | $56K | -11% | 220 |
Compare to other states
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 26% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,674/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 Missouri?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $63K here vs. $73K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
Missouri pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — below the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in Missouri?
The median is $63,130 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,570, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $97,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,212/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 26% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $70,957 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.