Principal Ecologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Principal Ecologist make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Ecologist in the United States is $58,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Principal Ecologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,112
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,592 to $66,061
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,650
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View as table View as graph 25% $49,592 10% $41,650 90% $73,112 75% $66,061 $58,316 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Ecologist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $66,061 $5,505 $1,270 $32
Average $58,316 $4,860 $1,121 $28
25th Percentile $49,592 $4,133 $954 $24
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Key Factors That Influence Principal Ecologist Salaries

A Principal Ecologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Principal Ecologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal Ecologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $64,567.
  • California: $64,322.
  • Massachusetts: $63,465.

Top Paying Cities for Principal Ecologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $73,554
  • San Francisco: $72,748
  • Oakland: $71,215

What Skills Can Increase a Principal Ecologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 11.66% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Law Enforcement (Mentioned in 1.33% Job Postings): Law enforcement is any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. Although the term encompasses entities such as courts and prisons, it is most frequently applied to those who directly engage in patrols or surveillance to dissuade and discover criminal activity, and those who investigate crimes and apprehend offenders, a task typically carried out by the police or another law enforcement organization. Furthermore, although law enforcement may be most concerned with the prevention and punishment of crimes, organizations exist to discourage a wide variety of non-criminal violations of rules and norms, effected through the imposition of less severe consequences.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 11.66%
Microsoft Office 2%
Law Enforcement 1.33%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Principal Ecologist's salary.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Chemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management
$69,979
20%
Pediatric
$65,897
13%
Chemistry
$63,564
9%
Safety Standards
$61,231
5%
Programming
$60,648
4%
Coaching
$60,648
4%
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Principal Ecologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal Ecologist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 15% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Principal Ecologist positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Principal Ecologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Principal Ecologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$61,231$29.05%

How Education impacts a Principal Ecologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Principal Ecologists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Principal Ecologist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $48,774 and $55,600).

Principal Ecologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Principal Ecologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 0.4%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 23.4%
Masters 68.1%
Doctorate 6.8%
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Principal Ecologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Ecologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Principal Ecologist

Salaries for a Principal Ecologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,693 in 2023 to around $52,829 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Principal Ecologist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Principal Ecologist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,693
2024
$53,995
2025
$52,829
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,693
2024 $53,995
2025 $52,829
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Principal Ecologist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Principal Ecologist

Here are companies hiring for Principal Ecologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Principal Ecologist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Ecologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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