Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in North Dakota make a median of $77,280 a year, or about $37.15 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $86,939 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 20% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in North Dakota?
About conservation scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
Conservation scientists pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $77K locally vs. $73K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 20.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (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, North Dakota
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in North Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $79K | +2% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 20.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,088/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 33% 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 North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $77K locally vs. $73K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
North Dakota pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s +6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in North Dakota?
The median is $77,280 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,470, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $109,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,104/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 20.3% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $86,939 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.