Wages tend to be higher in some states than others. This depends on how much money the state or local government puts into their natural resources budget. Private agencies tend to pay higher wages than the government. However, some government agencies also offer housing and transportation as part of their pay.
Park naturalists usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
Conservation scientists (SOC 19-1031)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $22.85 | $32.38 | $43.46 |
| Yearly | $47,536 | $67,362 | $90,393 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $28.53 | $35.84 | $48.64 |
| Yearly | $59,360 | $74,556 | $101,170 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $27.95 | $36.94 | $53.15 |
| Yearly | $58,145 | $76,841 | $110,551 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $19.43 | $27.09 | $33.61 |
| Yearly | $40,426 | $56,348 | $69,919 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $23.95 | $32.38 | $44.92 |
| Yearly | $49,823 | $67,362 | $93,442 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $26.22 | $30.29 | $40.12 |
| Yearly | $54,540 | $62,987 | $83,453 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $30.03 | $38.03 | $45.12 |
| Yearly | $62,465 | $79,107 | $93,845 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $24.37 | $35.98 | $38.33 |
| Yearly | $50,691 | $74,841 | $79,721 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $43.46 | $47.71 | $54.02 |
| Yearly | $90,393 | $99,246 | $112,372 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $35.43 | $39.43 | $51.83 |
| Yearly | $73,697 | $82,008 | $107,799 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $19.35 | $23.98 | $24.53 |
| Yearly | $40,243 | $49,893 | $51,029 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $37.20 | $43.58 | $54.02 |
| Yearly | $77,371 | $90,647 | $112,372 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $24.37 | $37.20 | $45.81 |
| Yearly | $50,691 | $77,371 | $95,284 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $23.61 | $34.47 | $47.86 |
| Yearly | $49,103 | $71,696 | $99,541 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $33.07 | $33.07 | $38.89 |
| Yearly | $68,797 | $68,797 | $80,886 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $28.88 | $40.58 | $49.33 |
| Yearly | $60,072 | $84,401 | $102,611 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $22.85 | $31.71 | $43.46 |
| Yearly | $47,536 | $65,958 | $90,393 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $20.74 | $32.17 | $45.16 |
| Yearly | $43,138 | $66,915 | $93,929 | |
| United States | Hourly | $25.48 | $33.05 | $42.05 |
| Yearly | $53,000 | $68,750 | $87,460 | |