U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Agriculture / Soil Conservation

Job-title file

Soil Conservation

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

4,767 employees hold this title in Department of Agriculture. Median total compensation for the role is $80,573, above the department median of $77,955.

Employees: 4,767
Total payroll: $396.4M
Role median: $80,573
Agency median: $77,955
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$127,541+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 4,767 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Soil Conservation pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Conservation Scientists — about 25,950 people — is $73,010. Department of Agriculture pays a median base salary of $79,839 for this role, 9% above that figure — about the 59th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Agriculture sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$47,550

$57,700

$73,010

$91,560

$110,410

Department of Agriculture median · $79,839

The bar is the range of annual wages for Conservation Scientists across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Agriculture’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 4,737 of 4,767 people in this role paid at least $25,000 in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Agriculture is $80,573, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Soil Conservation is held in 3 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Agriculture, the median of $80,573 ranks #3 of 3.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Energy

$145,489 · 2

Department of Interior

$87,062 · 11

Median total compensation for the Soil Conservation role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 13

Joe Larson

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kimball
Work county: Kimball
Work state: Nebraska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 312720105
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Joe Larson serves as a Soil Conservation based in Kimball, Nebraska. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,481. They are classified at grade 11.

Cody Mathis

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Haskell
Work county: Haskell
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483050207
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cody Mathis works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Haskell, Texas. Cody earned $89,481 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Joseph Mullins

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Sparta
Work county: White
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 472310185
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Joseph Mullins serves as a Soil Conservation based in Sparta, Tennessee. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,481. They are classified at grade 11.

Brian Musser

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Decatur
Work county: Adams
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 181180001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Musser works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Decatur, Indiana. Brian earned $89,481 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Justin Odom

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Albany
Work county: Shackelford
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480080417
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Justin Odom holds the role of Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Albany, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,481. Their pay grade is 11.

Daniel Pazdernik

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Park Rapids
Work county: Hubbard
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 275530057
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daniel Pazdernik works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Daniel earned $89,481 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Waylon Petsche

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Norfolk
Work county: Madison
Work state: Nebraska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 313480119
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Waylon Petsche holds the role of Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Norfolk, Nebraska. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,481. Their pay grade is 11.

Deann Schneider

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Lakota
Work county: Nelson
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 381720063
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deann Schneider holds the role of Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Lakota, North Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,481. Their pay grade is 11.

Sean Taylor

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Rapides
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 220040079
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sean Taylor is a Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Alexandria, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $89,481. They are classified at grade 11.

Scotty Thomas

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Sandersville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 134880303
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Scotty Thomas is a Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Sandersville, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $89,481. They are classified at grade 11.

Jeremy Thilges

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Emmetsburg
Work county: Palo Alto
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 192760147
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeremy Thilges works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Jeremy earned $89,481 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Shawna Trujillo

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Roy
Work county: Harding
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350680021
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shawna Trujillo works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Roy, New Mexico. Shawna earned $89,481 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Paul Vondra

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Franklin
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 193600069
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Vondra holds the role of Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Hampton, Iowa. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,481. Their pay grade is 11.

Ain Welmon

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,481

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,481
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Montrose
Work county: Susquehanna
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,481
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,597
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 425460115
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ain Welmon holds the role of Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Montrose, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,481. Their pay grade is 11.

Kathryn Brady

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,425

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,425
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,425
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Johnson City
Work county: Blanco
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,425
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,527
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483530031
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kathryn Brady is a Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Johnson City, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $89,425. They are classified at grade 11.

Hilary Bravenec

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,425

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,425
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,425
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bastrop
Work county: Bastrop
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,425
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,527
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480460021
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hilary Bravenec works as a Soil Conservation for Department of Agriculture based in Bastrop, Texas. Hilary earned $89,425 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Joshua Hall

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,365

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,365
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,365
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Lake Stevens
Work county: Snohomish
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,365
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531120061
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joshua Hall is a Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Lake Stevens, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $89,365. They are classified at grade 11.

Matthew Nichols

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,328

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,328
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Corsicana
Work county: Navarro
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,328
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481570349
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Matthew Nichols serves as a Soil Conservation based in Corsicana, Texas. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,328. They are classified at grade 11.

William Payne

Soil Conservation/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,328

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,328
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bowie
Work county: Montague
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,328
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480800337
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0457
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

William Payne is a Soil Conservation at Department of Agriculture based in Bowie, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $89,328. They are classified at grade 11.