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.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA

$185,874

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA

$150,114

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Harvard University, MA

$142,377

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(doctoral)Johns Hopkins University, MD

$91,570

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD

$87,746

Sustainability Studies(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

$86,469

Sustainability Studies(masters)Presidio Graduate School, CA

$82,953

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Webster University, MO

$81,807

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(doctoral)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC

$80,276

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

$78,660

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Yale University, CT

$75,985

Sustainability Studies(masters)University of California-Berkeley, CA

$75,703

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA

$75,666

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Columbia Southern University, AL

$74,546

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(grad-cert)Johns Hopkins University, MD

$74,417

Plant Sciences(masters)Iowa State University, IA

$73,707

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(grad-cert)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

$73,603

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American University, DC

$73,531

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)George Washington University, DC

$72,959

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Harvard University, MA

$72,276

Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VA

$71,291

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)Boston University, MA

$70,479

Sustainability Studies(masters)CUNY City College, NY

$70,051

Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)Duke University, NC

$69,905

Natural Resources Management and Policy(masters)University of Denver, CO

$69,861