Conservation Scientists Salary
Conservation Scientists in Washington make a median of $78,450 a year, or about $37.72 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $76,904 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 33.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Washington?
About conservation scientists
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What this looks like in Washington
Conservation scientists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $78K locally vs. $73K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists salary by metro in Washington
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $82K | +5% | 310 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $78K | +0% | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $78K | +0% | 320 |
| Yakima | $78K | +0% | 30 |
| Bellingham | $78K | -1% | 50 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $77K | -2% | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $74K | -5% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track conservation scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a conservation scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 34.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for conservation scientists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new conservation scientists typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,582/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $78K locally vs. $73K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for conservation scientists?
Washington pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do conservation scientists make in Washington?
The median is $78,450 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,700, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $106,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,298/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 34.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $76,904 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.