Career Atlas USA

Best States for Conservation Scientists

Ranked by the Career Atlas Opportunity Score, not raw pay — a high-paying state with few jobs or a high cost of living can rank below a more balanced one.

  1. 1North Dakota87.7 / 100
  2. 2South Dakota85.5 / 100
  3. 3Colorado84 / 100
  4. 4Wyoming81.9 / 100
  5. 5Oregon79.9 / 100
  6. 6Montana79.2 / 100
  7. 7Wisconsin78.6 / 100
  8. 8Iowa74.9 / 100
  9. 9New Mexico74.6 / 100
  10. 10Idaho74.2 / 100
  11. 11Alaska72.4 / 100
  12. 12Maine71.1 / 100
  13. 13Washington67.5 / 100
  14. 14Utah66.3 / 100
  15. 15Nebraska65.9 / 100

Also see highest-paying states (ranked by salary alone).