Occupational Employment Statistics

DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

19-1031 Conservation Scientists

Occupational Description:
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. Excludes “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023) and "Foresters" (19-1032).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2025

Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Southeast Minnesota	50	9	$37.95/hr	$26.01/hr	$34.30/hr	$37.58/hr	$41.07/hr	$50.05/hr

Leading Industries for Conservation Scientists

Industry	OES Employment (Statewide)	OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	N/A	N/A
Professional and Business Services	30	$38.83/hr
Leisure and Hospitality	N/A	N/A
Other Services	90	$31.52/hr
Public Administration	560	$37.73/hr

Other Regional Data for Conservation Scientists

Geography	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA	10	$28.37/hr	N/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA	20	$31.39/hr	N/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA	20	$37.73/hr	N/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA	30	$35.38/hr	N/A
Rochester MN MSA	30	$37.98/hr	N/A
St Cloud MN MSA	30	$35.82/hr	N/A
Northeast Balance of State	30	$33.17/hr	N/A
Southeast Balance of State	30	$37.58/hr	N/A
Southwest Balance of State	40	$37.58/hr	N/A
Northeast Minnesota	50	$33.17/hr	3.2%
Southeast Minnesota	50	$37.58/hr	5.1%
La Crosse WI-MN MSA	50	$36.80/hr	N/A
Southwest Minnesota	60	$37.58/hr	3.8%
Central Minnesota	90	$38.27/hr	6.3%
Northwest Balance of State	110	$36.12/hr	N/A
Northwest Minnesota	120	$35.63/hr	2.5%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	250	$38.27/hr	5.6%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA	330	$38.27/hr	N/A
Minnesota	690	$37.64/hr	4.6%

Related Occupations

Occupations	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	490	$34.38/hr	4.0%
Foresters	200	$35.24/hr	3.2%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School	170	$79,412.35/yr	2.5%

Task for Conservation Scientists

Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures.
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
Study rangeland management practices and research range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.