Conservation Scientists Salary in Salinas, CA
Conservation Scientists in Salinas, CA make a median of $71,050 a year, or about $34.16 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.04), so that salary is closer to $65,160 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,684/month — about 57.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $71K get you in Salinas?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salinas’s Regional Price Parity (109.04). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About conservation scientists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salinas, CA
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $86K | +27% | 880 |
| California | $82K | +20% | 1,940 |
| Washington | $81K | +20% | 940 |
| Nevada | $80K | +17% | 170 |
| North Dakota | $80K | +17% | 260 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +14% | 80 |
| Utah | $77K | +14% | 300 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +14% | 690 |
| Wyoming | $77K | +13% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +13% | 730 |
| Alabama | $76K | +12% | 110 |
| Arizona | $76K | +12% | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | +12% | 1,010 |
| Alaska | $75K | +11% | 320 |
| Maryland | $75K | +11% | 610 |
| Nebraska | $75K | +10% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $75K | +10% | 200 |
| Montana | $75K | +10% | 440 |
| South Dakota | $73K | +7% | 400 |
| Arkansas | $73K | +7% | 180 |
| Illinois | $73K | +7% | 730 |
| Idaho | $73K | +7% | 290 |
| New Mexico | $72K | +7% | 390 |
| West Virginia | $68K | +1% | 140 |
| Georgia | $68K | +0% | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $68K | -0% | 150 |
| Virginia | $67K | -1% | 720 |
| New York | $66K | -4% | 750 |
| Texas | $65K | -4% | 2,070 |
| Maine | $65K | -4% | 280 |
| Iowa | $64K | -6% | 590 |
| Kentucky | $64K | -6% | 180 |
| Indiana | $63K | -7% | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $62K | -9% | 290 |
| Vermont | $62K | -9% | 120 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -9% | 570 |
| Michigan | $61K | -10% | 630 |
| Missouri | $61K | -10% | 520 |
| New Jersey | $60K | -11% | 530 |
| Ohio | $60K | -12% | 700 |
| Louisiana | $58K | -14% | 240 |
| Mississippi | $57K | -16% | 480 |
| Delaware | $56K | -18% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $54K | -20% | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -22% | 1,410 |
| Florida | $53K | -22% | 720 |
| Hawaii | $47K | -31% | 210 |
| Kansas | $46K | -32% | 460 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Salinas numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do conservation scientists make in Salinas, CA?
The median is $71,050 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,750, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $140,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Salinas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,632/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,684/month, which eats 57.9% 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 Salinas?
Salinas has a Regional Price Parity of 109.04 (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 $65,160 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.