Conservation Scientists
Life, Physical, and Social Science
The work is applied: using agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture to design conservation practices such as crop rotation, contour plowing, terracing, reforestation, or erosion-control buffers. They gather field and survey information, pull land-use data from geographic information systems, and compute design specifications from technical guides. After plans go in, they monitor construction so the work matches the specs, and they advise farmers and ranchers on alternatives when something is not working. Team work on habitat, wetland, or groundwater programs is common. Suits people who like mixing outdoor site work with technical planning and who can explain practical options to land users.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$73'010
Median Wage Market Position
$73'010
What you might do
- Plan crop rotation, terracing, and reforestation
- Put erosion controls and filter strips in place
- Advise farmers and ranchers on conservation plans
- Check finished projects against the original design
- Work out design details from field surveys
- Use GIS maps to recommend land uses
Skills that matter
- Soil conservation plans for farms and ranges
- Advice to farmers on contour plowing
- Design specs from surveys and field notes
- GIS work for land-use recommendations
- On-site checks that projects match the plan
- Team planning for wetlands and groundwater
AI & the future of this role
Mapping, monitoring data, and plan drafting could be sped up by AI tools, shifting some desk-based analysis. On-the-ground assessment, landowner negotiation, and balancing competing uses still rely on local knowledge and practical judgment.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details