Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Conservation scientists
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.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 65% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.3% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and emotional intelligence.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $73,010
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.3%
- Openings a year
- 2,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 27,700
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Provide information or assistance to the public
- Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance
- Compile records, documentation, or other data
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources
- Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices
- Monitor environmental conditions
What the work looks like
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as social advocacy for environmental protection and conservation is expected to increase over the projections decade, driving demand for conservation scientists.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Preschool teachers, except special educationHuman edge, growing, Index 83, +4.5%
- Administrative services managersHuman edge, growing, Index 66, +5.2%
- Exercise physiologistsHuman edge, growing, Index 82, +12.8%
- Coaches and scoutsHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
Also known as: Conservationist, Land Resource Specialist, Research Soil Scientist, Resource Conservationist, Natural Resource Specialist, Range Management Consultant, Rangeland Management Specialist, Interpretive Naturalist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.