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The differences between conservation technicians and wildlife biologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a conservation technician, becoming a wildlife biologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a wildlife biologist has an average salary of $51,084, which is higher than the $35,950 average annual salary of a conservation technician.
The top three skills for a conservation technician include GRASS, natural resources and data entry. The most important skills for a wildlife biologist are USDA, wildlife species, and GIS.
| Conservation Technician | Wildlife Biologist | |
| Yearly salary | $35,950 | $51,084 |
| Hourly rate | $17.28 | $24.56 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 6,640 | 5,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Conservation technicians are responsible for handling technical, environmental science tasks like mapping, patrolling, and measuring land to assist conservation scientists and foresters. They generally work in the wilderness but can also work on air and sea resources. These technicians keep records of public and commercial activities within their jurisdiction and train conservation workers to plant trees and maintain the ground. Their jobs include managing protection crews who work to put out forest fires, collecting water or soil samples for pollutants, and checking wildlife and vegetation for diseases.
A wildlife biologist specializes in studying and observing animals and plants in their habitats, mainly for research and scientific purposes. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering samples and data, performing analysis through various laboratory and scientific processes, conducting experiments, and creating reports and presentations. A wildlife biologist may use their findings to develop programs and strategies, release research papers, contribute to publications, and promote public awareness. Furthermore, a wildlife biologist may coordinate with other scientists, reviewing findings for accurate reports.
Conservation technicians and wildlife biologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Conservation Technician | Wildlife Biologist | |
| Average salary | $35,950 | $51,084 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $46,000 | Between $34,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, DE | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Delaware State Government | Idaho National Lab |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Technology |
There are a few differences between a conservation technician and a wildlife biologist in terms of educational background:
| Conservation Technician | Wildlife Biologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of California - Davis |
Here are the differences between conservation technicians' and wildlife biologists' demographics:
| Conservation Technician | Wildlife Biologist | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |