Conservation scientists
SOC Code: 19-1031
Conservation scientists carries a 46% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $67,950 and +3.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 28,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Conservation scientists (SOC 19-1031) carries an AI exposure score of 46%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 28,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $67,950, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Conservation scientists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- 2. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- 3. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- 4. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- 5. Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- 6. Regulate grazing, such as by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards, and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems to manage, improve, protect, and maximize the use of rangelands.
- 7. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- 8. Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- 9. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
- 10. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Instructing
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Biology
- Communications and Media
- History and Archeology
- Law and Government
- Geography
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Conservation scientists?
Conservation scientists has an AI exposure score of 46%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Conservation scientists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Conservation scientists is projected to grow by 3.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 28,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Conservation scientists?
Key skills for Conservation scientists include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Conservation scientists earn?
The median annual wage for Conservation scientists is $67,950, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Conservation scientists?
The typical entry-level education for Conservation scientists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Conservation scientists?
Conservation scientists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).