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Conservation Scientists

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $73,010 Median per year · $35.10/hr Most earn $47,550–$110,410

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
  • Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.
  • Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  • Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
  • Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
  • Coordinate or implement technical, financial, or administrative assistance programs for local government units to ensure efficient program implementation or timely responses to requests for assistance.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 2,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service26.9%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals21.1%
  • Social advocacy organizations20.0%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals18.7%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services3.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Conservation Scientist is usually not a job you start straight out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then spend about 1 to 2 years in a hands-on technical or field role before moving into this career.

  1. Bachelor's degree in natural resources, environmental science, soil science, agronomy, or a related field

    4 years

    You learn how soils, water, plants, and land systems work, and you build the science base that conservation planning depends on.

  2. Conservation Technician

    1-2 years

    You work in the field doing soil surveys, mapping, and checking conservation practices with farmers or landowners, which gives you the hands-on experience employers look for.

  3. Conservation Scientist

    Career goal

    You assess land, write conservation plans, and advise farmers, ranchers, and land managers on practices like crop rotation, terracing, and rangeland care.

Where it can lead

  1. Soil and Plant Scientist

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move toward research and deeper expertise in soils or plants, and a master's degree is often needed for these roles.

  2. Environmental Scientist

    2-4 years of experience first

    You broaden your work to include pollution, land restoration, and environmental compliance, often taking on more project leadership.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, earth science, and chemistryThese classes build the science foundation you will use in soil, water, and plant studies.
  • Join an FFA chapter or a local agriculture or environmental clubClubs like these teach practical land and farm skills and connect you with people in the field.
  • Volunteer with a local park, watershed group, or community gardenHands-on work outdoors shows you what conservation work involves and looks good on future applications.
  • Get a summer job or volunteer position on a farm or at a nature centerField experience helps you learn how land is managed and whether you enjoy outdoor work.

In college

  • Major in natural resources, soil science, environmental science, or agronomyThese majors cover the soil, water, and plant knowledge that conservation scientists use every day.
  • Take courses in soil science, hydrology, GIS, and statisticsThese skills are commonly used in conservation planning and data analysis.
  • Seek a summer internship or field job with a soil and water conservation district or a natural resources agencyField experience is often the key to landing your first technician role after graduation.
  • Join a campus environmental or wildlife clubClubs offer networking, field trips, and chances to take on leadership roles.
  • Ask a professor about research assistant positionsResearch experience builds lab and field skills and helps if you later pursue a master's degree.

Tips for getting started

  • Get outdoor or field experience early. Employers value people who can work in the field and handle soil, water, and plant sampling.
  • Learn basic GIS mapping and data tools. Many conservation jobs use them to map land and track results.
  • Talk to people already in the field, such as local soil and water conservation district staff, to learn what they actually do day to day.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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