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Marine Biologist

Overview and Key Facts

Marine biologist with crab
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$93,330
Job Growth
Job Growth
1.20%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
64,500

What Do They Do?

A marine biologist could...

 
Turtle
Research how ocean acidification is affecting marine organisms.
Bacteria study
Discover new compounds to make medications by studying novel marine bacteria.
Seafood
Help the seafood industry provide consumers with sustainable food choices.
whales
Tag and track whales to learn more about their behavior.
 
Turtle Bacteria study Seafood whales

Overview Listen to this section

Do you enjoy going to the ocean? Do you like examining all of the marine creatures in tide pools? Do you read up on the different kinds of ocean mammals and fish for fun? If this is the case, then you may be the right fit for a career as a marine biologist. Marine biology is the study of ocean aquatic organisms, their behaviors, and their interactions with the environment. Because this field of study is an intersection of zoology, biology, and technology, marine biologists can apply their knowledge in many different ways.
This video shows a profile of the remarkable marine biologist Sylvia Earle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeGV9rVRCj4

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Marine Biologist?


  1. Science: ?
  2. Writing: ?
  3. Active Listening: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Reading Comprehension: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Marine Biologist might do:
  • Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
  • Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
  • Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
  • Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
  • Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
  • Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
  • Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
  • Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
  • Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
  • Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
  • Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
  • Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Marine Biologist Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Marine Biologist jobs (1.20%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Marine Biologist

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Taking workshops or attending seminars on an ongoing basis can be a crucial part of learning new ideas and skills. This becomes especially important for those who wish to publish their work or perform topical and cutting-edge research.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's or master's degree in marine biology, biology, or zoology usually is required for most entry-level marine biology research jobs, though a PhD usually is required to carry out independent research in biology and to teach at the university level.

Companies That Hire Marine Biologists

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Dr. Scott Baker is from Alabama but works in New Zealand. In this Scholastic interview, he answers all kinds of questions about marine biology.
My favorite [marine mammals] are humpback whales. They show all sorts of behavior and are found throughout the world. 
Dr. Scott Baker
You can learn a lot about marine biology by reading these marine biology career profiles at the SeaGrant marine careers website.
I love working with clams and crabs! One particularly satisfying aspect of my job is when I am able to apply my knowledge in science and research to answering questions and solving problems involving the tribe's fisheries. 
Julie S. Barber, Senior Shellfish Biologist

Nature of the Work

Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors, and their interactions with their environment. However, the term marine biology is actually used for many disciplines and jobs in the marine sciences that deal with the study of marine life, not just for those concerning the physical properties of the sea. Marine biology is one of the broadest fields of study in oceanography. Marine biologists must have a working knowledge of chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and geological oceanography.

Because marine biology is so broad, most marine biologists usually specialize in one area. A marine biologist could study a specific species, behavior, or the ecosystem that marine organisms live in.

  • Marine biotechnologists study and apply the functions and behaviors of marine species to improve human life. Some marine biotechnologists study marine organisms in order to develop drugs that are used to cure human disease.
  • Molecular biologists apply molecular approaches to the study of marine ecosystems and marine organisms. For example, a molecular biologist investigates diseases of marine organisms at a molecular level, using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Aquaculturists study the farming of finfish, shellfish, and seaweed. This area of study is gaining importance as consumer demand for fish exceeds what can be caught by commercial fishing. These scientists work to improve the output of their farms and eliminate disease in the fish population.
  • Environmental biologists and toxicologists study how toxic substances in the marine environment have impacts on and applications in our society. Examples of environmental biology and toxicology research include water-quality studies and surveys of contaminants or pollutants in the coastal or marine environment. Local, state, and federal officials consult marine and environmental biologists and toxicologists in the design of laws, regulations, and cleanup measures to protect our environment. Theses biologists will continue to play a role in our society as stewards of the environment.

Work Environment

The working environment may vary for a marine biologist from one day to the next. Most marine scientists maintain a laboratory where they can conduct their observations and experiments. They may spend their whole day in this lab or they may use it only part of the time. When not in the lab, marine biologists work outdoors. Their day can be dictated by such things as the weather or by the animals they study.

Marine biologists may travel to outside sites to handle certain aspects of research or experiments directly. Marine biologists may be called upon for marine-animal rescue missions, such as after oil spills, to which they may have to travel. They may present their findings at conferences or workshops. This is usually not a job that involves a lot of stress, and the benefits may include the possibility of working outdoors in attractive locations.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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