Conservation Scientists pay range in Amherst
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,800 a year or less, while the top 10% make $177,960 or more. The middle half of conservation scientists in Amherst earn between $65,500 and $130,790.
- $52K10th
- $66K25th
- $80KMedian
- $131K75th
- $178K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $99,360 | $8,280 | $47.77 |
| Median | $80,290 | $6,691 | $38.60 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,500 | $5,458 | $31.49 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $130,790 | $10,899 | $62.88 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Conservation Scientists pay in Amherst vs. Massachusetts and the U.S.
Conservation scientists in Amherst earn 20% more than the Massachusetts average ($82,710) and 29% more than the U.S. average ($77,130). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $73,010.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | $99,360 | $80,290 | $51,800 | $177,960 | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $82,710 | $78,740 | $51,070 | $119,460 | 760 |
| United States | $77,130 | $73,010 | $47,550 | $110,410 | 25,950 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Conservation Scientists salary after taxes in Amherst
On the average salary of $99,360, a single filer in Amherst takes home about $74,082 a year, or $6,173 a month and $2,849 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Is Amherst a good place for conservation scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Amherst area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.2), so the average $99,360 buys what about $99,119 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Amherst ($57,030). A typical home costs $363,400, or 3.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Conservation Scientists salary in other Massachusetts cities
Amherst ranks 1st of 4 Massachusetts metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Amherst$99,360
- Barnstable$88,040
- Worcester$81,840
- Boston$80,630
Highest-paying cities for conservation scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($118,820).
- San Jose, CA$118,820
- Washington, DC$108,770
- Springfield, IL$105,360
- Amherst, MA$99,360
- San Francisco, CA$99,130
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Conservation Scientists salary in Amherst: questions
How much do conservation scientists make an hour in Amherst?
$47.77 an hour on average, and $38.60 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level conservation scientists salary in Amherst?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,800 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,500, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the conservation scientists take-home pay in Amherst?
About $74,082 a year ($6,173 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $99,360. Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Do conservation scientists earn more in Amherst than elsewhere?
The average here is 29% more than the U.S. average for this job ($77,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1031; area Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (11200). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Census median home value (Zillow does not cover this metro). Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 6.87, this job is 6.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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