SOC 2151 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Conservation professionals Salary

Median salary £37,949 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £38,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For conservation professionals, £40,083 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +3.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Conservation professionals manage and protect natural habitats, wildlife, landscapes and cultural heritage sites. They develop conservation strategies, conduct ecological assessments, manage protected areas and work to balance development with environmental preservation.

Key responsibilities

Developing and implementing conservation management plans
Conducting ecological surveys and habitat assessments
Managing protected sites, nature reserves and heritage properties
Advising on planning applications and environmental impact
Engaging communities and volunteers in conservation activities

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in ecology, environmental science, conservation biology or a related field. Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status through CIEEM is the professional standard.

Career outlook

Growing demand driven by Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, environmental regulation and Nature Recovery Network initiatives. However, many conservation roles are grant-funded.

Key skills

Ecological knowledge Survey techniques GIS and mapping Stakeholder engagement Policy interpretation

Common industries

Nature conservation charities
Government agencies (Natural England, NRW)
Environmental consultancies
National parks
Heritage organisations

Data coverage

SOC code 2151

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 16,000

Median Salary

£37,949

Mean Salary

£42,224

Jobs (000s)

16k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £32,533Median: £37,949

P10: --P25: £33kMedian: £38kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£32,533

0-2 years

Mid Level

£32,533

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +17.6%Real growth: -14.8%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 12.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£37,949

Full-time Only

£40,083

Full-time premium: +£2,134

Conservation professionals salary: common questions

How much do conservation professionals earn in the UK?

Conservation professionals earn a median of £40,083 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £40,083 a good salary in the UK?

For conservation professionals, £40,083 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +3.0% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for conservation professionals?

Entry-level conservation professionals typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £32,533, though this varies by employer and region.

Have conservation professionals salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median conservation professionals pay has risen from £33,629 to £40,083 — +19% in cash terms, or -14% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for conservation professionals?

Male conservation professionals earn a median £40,555 and female conservation professionals £35,369 — a gap of +13% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).