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Occupation · SOC 19-1031

Conservation Scientists

There are 25,950 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $73,010 a year. The most jobs are in Fort Collins–Loveland, CO.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
25,950
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$73,010
Median pay a year
Middle half: $57,700–$91,560
2,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.3%
23
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 128 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Fort Collins–Loveland, COMedian pay $84,820 · LCA filings 0650$84,8200
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $64,020 · LCA filings 0590$64,0200
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $99,360 · LCA filings 2490$99,3602
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $78,580 · LCA filings 0480$78,5800
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $83,580 · LCA filings 0450$83,5800
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $68,620 · LCA filings 0430$68,6200
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $97,810 · LCA filings 2410$97,8102
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $62,710 · LCA filings 1370$62,7101
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WAMedian pay $78,460 · LCA filings 0320$78,4600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $76,940 · LCA filings 0310$76,9400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$110,200700
Springfield, ILEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$107,990400
Boulder, COEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$101,380700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 490 · LCA filings 2$99,3604902
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 410 · LCA filings 2$97,8104102

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 49022490
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 41021410
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 502150
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 37011370
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 31011310

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Fort Collins–Loveland, COLevel II $73,424 · Level III $87,048 · Level IV $100,672$59,800$73,424$87,048$100,672
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $62,899 · Level III $74,318 · Level IV $85,717$51,501$62,899$74,318$85,717
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $86,923 · Level III $108,555 · Level IV $130,166$65,312$86,923$108,555$130,166
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $67,954 · Level III $80,496 · Level IV $93,059$55,390$67,954$80,496$93,059
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $82,597 · Level III $97,136 · Level IV $111,696$68,037$82,597$97,136$111,696
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $62,795 · Level III $70,699 · Level IV $78,603$54,891$62,795$70,699$78,603
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $84,739 · Level III $98,987 · Level IV $113,235$70,491$84,739$98,987$113,235
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $53,269 · Level III $65,042 · Level IV $76,835$41,475$53,269$65,042$76,835
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WALevel II $71,157 · Level III $80,122 · Level IV $89,086$62,192$71,157$80,122$89,086
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $65,645 · Level III $79,914 · Level IV $94,203$51,355$65,645$79,914$94,203
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $60,112 · Level III $74,942 · Level IV $89,773$45,282$60,112$74,942$89,773
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $51,147 · Level III $61,360 · Level IV $71,552$40,955$51,147$61,360$71,552

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchCIP 03.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,233STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementCIP 03.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months24STEM OPT · up to 36 months
ForestryCIP 03.05Varies by program94Varies by program
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicyCIP 03.02Varies by program217Varies by program

See Conservation Scientists in every metro area

All 128 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology