Conservation Scientists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Conservation Scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $96,260 a year, or about $46.28 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $83,263 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 59.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About conservation scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $131K or more - a $70K 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 |
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do conservation scientists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $96,260 a year - that works out to about $46.28 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,870, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $130,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,918/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.9% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $83,263 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.