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Conservation Scientists

Also called: Conservationist, Land Resource Specialist, Research Soil Scientist, Resource Conservationist

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.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$73,010
Openings a year BLS, 2025–352,100
Typical education to start BLSBachelor's degree
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 High
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 +5.3%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 25 of its 30 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 5.3% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Conservation scientists”, which includes this one and others.

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 0.7% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Conservation scientists and foresters”
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 4.3 hires for every 10 job openings in government, which employs about 68% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 64% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$51k$99knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$77,000$60,300 to $101,500110
Alaska$79,260$66,080 to $103,110290
Arizona$66,750$53,510 to $81,850410
Arkansas$73,320$61,110 to $96,100230
California$79,810$64,310 to $104,9902,110
Colorado$84,820$67,770 to $108,5401,230
Connecticut$73,860$70,920 to $82,050140
Delaware$63,850$52,990 to $74,18080
District of Columbia$99,400$77,060 to $119,100110
Florida$51,130$40,830 to $72,820950
Georgia$69,240$54,910 to $97,470360
Hawaii$65,740$47,100 to $95,180220
Idaho$81,330$61,110 to $86,260300
Illinois$69,590$51,630 to $95,820730
Indiana$64,570$49,000 to $84,070430
Iowa$69,240$60,070 to $81,730610
Kansas$67,200$50,660 to $86,260220
Kentucky$71,980$53,380 to $96,100180
Louisiana$80,190$49,990 to $106,330190
Maine$75,900$59,180 to $89,960290
Maryland$83,290$66,850 to $107,520470
Massachusetts$78,740$65,210 to $92,060760
Michigan$63,500$52,980 to $89,230820
Minnesota$71,280$51,630 to $88,670770
Mississippi$59,510$49,940 to $78,850470
Missouri$63,130$50,560 to $79,920600
Montana$73,920$57,530 to $88,710560
Nebraska$76,400$63,130 to $94,500220
Nevada$73,030$48,920 to $92,870210
New Hampshire$74,650$53,380 to $88,460130
New Jersey$64,020$50,540 to $80,930500
New Mexico$76,800$56,620 to $94,520330
New York$76,990$58,670 to $93,350640
North Carolina$64,460$50,300 to $81,920540
North Dakota$77,280$60,090 to $95,030340
Ohio$63,160$50,190 to $78,350680
Oklahoma$71,270$51,160 to $86,260310
Oregon$80,790$70,450 to $104,6901,020
Pennsylvania$61,480$48,310 to $76,500900
Puerto Rico$71,280$49,940 to $91,56050
Rhode Island$76,130$64,490 to $103,71060
South Carolina$52,310$42,270 to $69,020300
South Dakota$76,400$61,110 to $88,710360
Tennessee$70,500$53,080 to $94,520250
Texas$68,620$58,470 to $81,3101,970
Utah$78,850$63,490 to $100,420410
Vermont$70,130$58,140 to $82,160100
Virgin Islands$50,080$50,080 to $50,08040
Virginia$77,380$60,190 to $108,890480
Washington$78,450$62,240 to $88,7901,270
West Virginia$69,910$47,740 to $91,560160
Wisconsin$79,540$63,130 to $93,200970
Wyoming$81,310$63,810 to $91,170150

Nationally: $73,010. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 25 of its 30 tasks

8 · AI alone could halve the time 17 · AI + software built on it could 5 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
AI + software Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives. Not published
AI + software Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations. Not published
Not much Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans. Not published
AI + software Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources. Not published
Not much Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members. Not published
AI + software Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions. Not published
See all 30 tasks
Not much Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications. Not published
Not much Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans. Not published
AI + software Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water. Not published
AI alone Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals. under 0.01%
AI + software Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions. Not published
AI alone Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management. Not published
AI + software Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification. Not published
AI alone Provide information, knowledge, expertise, or training to government agencies at all levels to solve water or soil management problems or to assure coordination of resource protection activities. Not published
AI + software Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices. Not published
AI + software Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation. Not published
AI alone Review proposed wetland restoration easements or provide technical recommendations. Not published
AI + software Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques. Not published
AI + software Develop soil maps. Not published
Not much Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures. Not published
AI alone Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans. Not published
AI alone 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. Not published
AI alone Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans. Not published
AI + software Identify or recommend integrated weed and pest management (IPM) strategies, such as resistant plants, cultural or behavioral controls, soil amendments, insects, natural enemies, barriers, or pesticides. Not published
AI + software Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes. Not published
AI + software Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government. Not published
AI + software Review grant applications or make funding recommendations. Not published
AI alone Develop or conduct environmental studies, such as plant material field trials or wildlife habitat impact studies. Not published
AI + software Develop water conservation or harvest plans, using weather information systems, irrigation information management systems, or other sources of daily evapotranspiration (ET) data. Not published
AI + software Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 1 of the 30 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 30 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up25 of 30 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most2 of 21 activities
  • #14 Create visual designs or displays
  • #33 Compile records, documentation, or other data
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices 1.38#219 5.30#83
Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance 22#53 12#64
Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources 0.40#278 0.20#241
Develop research plans or methodologies 4.23#139 1.03#168
Monitor environmental conditions 2.85#171 0.80#173
Direct scientific or technical activities 1.24#227 1.58#137
Create visual designs or displays 127#14 54#27
Compile records, documentation, or other data 52#33 33#37
Show all 21 activities
Develop technical specifications for products or operations 11#84 5.26#85
Communicate environmental or sustainability information 8.58#99 25#42
Develop professional relationships or networks 5.83#117 1.56#140
Estimate project development or operational costs 4.43#137 2.69#118
Research agricultural processes or practices 3.95#148 0.52#200
Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance 3.59#153 0.73#180
Maintain operational records 2.92#170 0.49#209
Analyze environmental or geospatial data 2.20#193 0.49#208
Train others on operational or work procedures 1.60#211 29#38
Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problems 1.27#224 0.52#199
Mediate disputes 0.70#257 0.36#226
Assess compliance with environmental standards or regulations 0.26#291 0.20#242
Collect environmental or biological samples 0.24#292 0.02#307
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
Where the two sources differ: “Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices” holds 5 tasks rated AI + software or AI alone, yet people asked AI for help with it in 1.38 of every 10,000 conversations, #219 of 332.

How people in this work use Claude

What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations

  • Advice or a recommendation23%
  • An explanation or answer23%
  • A chart or visualization18%
  • A plan or strategy17%
  • A document or report5%

How they worked with Claude

43% handed the task off57% worked on it together

22% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.

How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for conservation scientists specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Conservation scientists: +5.3%Conservation ScientistsAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Conservation scientists: +5.3%Conservation Scientists

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 7,641 moves out

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
  2. 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 4%
  3. 3 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 3%
  4. 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 3%
  5. 5 Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%

Where people moved in from

of 7,654 moves in

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
  2. 2 Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Low +2.8% 3%
  3. 3 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 3%
  4. 4 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 3%
  5. 5 Waiters and Waitresses Moderate +2.0% 2%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

O*NET survey of workers in this occupation

  • 4% postsecondary certificate
  • 70% bachelor's
  • 9% post-bachelor's certificate
  • 13% master's
  • 4% research doctorate

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 23 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 75% bachelor's
  • 23% master's
  • 1% professional degree
  • 1% doctorate

Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Conservation scientists and foresters” · 400 people surveyed.

Why the two can differ

O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Conservation scientists and foresters”

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
17 programs, such as Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture, Range Science and Management and Natural Resources/Conservation, General.
See all
  • Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  • Range Science and Management
  • Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
  • Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
  • Land Use Planning and Management/Development
  • Forestry, General
  • Forest Sciences and Biology
  • Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
  • Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Biology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Geography and Environmental Studies

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

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