My Colorado Journey
Back to pathway map
AgricultureGreen JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

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.

Annual openings

161

Median wage

$84,820

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+8%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

Interactive walkthrough

Explore My Colorado Journey Careers

See where to compare pay, job demand, locations, skills, education, and training for a Colorado career.

Open in a new tab

Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Employer competency information

  • Refer above to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities information. Effective communication, such as writing reports and presenting ideas, is important to communicate research and findings.
A lot more information, including opportunities to explore jobs and gain experience, are at Green Pathways under "The Field of Forestry" and "The Field of Land Management".

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerMay vary
  • OutdoorsMay vary
  • With your handsMay vary

Interests it draws on

  • Agriculture and Sustainability
  • Conservation

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  2. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
  3. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
  4. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
  5. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
  6. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
Feedback