Soil Conservationist / Conservation Scientist

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.

O*NET definition of Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Conservation Scientists (SOC 19-1031) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2022. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Conservation Scientists and Foresters”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Soil Conservationist / Conservation Scientist in 4 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 4 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

1. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.4.5
2. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.4.4
3. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.4.3
4. Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.4.2
5. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.4.2
6. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.4.2
7. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.4.1
8. Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.4.1
9. Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.4.0
10. Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.4.0

The 10 most important of 29 core tasks for Conservation Scientists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2022.