Science
Conservation scientist
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Median pay
$73,010
Growth to 2035
+5%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
2,100
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Conservation scientist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Conservation scientist: 43% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
- Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
- Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
Also called: Conservationist · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Quality Scientist · Erosion Control Specialist · Land Reclamation Specialist · Land Resource Specialist · Research Soil Scientist · Resource Conservation Specialist
Outlook and AI
Conservation scientists held 27,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 29,200 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Conservation scientist vs. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Conservation scientist vs. Soil and plant scientists
- Conservation scientist vs. Natural sciences manager
- Conservation scientist vs. Managers, all other
- Conservation scientist vs. Hydrologist
- Conservation scientist vs. Forester