CFChooseField
Science

Conservation Scientists

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Conservation Scientists
Download graphic

Median pay

$67,950
Median annual pay for Conservation Scientists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

3.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

2,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

28,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Conservation Scientists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+1,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Conservation Scientists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Science
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Biology
  3. 3Geography
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Chemistry

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Written Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Information Ordering
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Investigative
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Innovation
  6. 6Intellectual Curiosity

Work activities

  1. 1Analyzing Data or Information
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Working with Computers
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Freedom to Make Decisions
  5. 5In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative 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.

Software and tools

ESRI ArcGIS software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP · hot technologyAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyAutodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyState Soil Geographic STATSGO Database

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.