Marine Biologist
Marine biologists study organisms in ocean and coastal environments, conducting field research, laboratory analyses, and ecological surveys. They investigate topics such as marine ecosystem health, species behavior, ocean acidification, and conservation strategies. The BLS reports a median salary of $69,000 with 5% projected growth. Careers span academic research, government agencies like NOAA, environmental consulting, and marine conservation organizations.
A Day in the Life
A typical day might start at dawn on a research vessel, collecting plankton samples with a tow net and recording water temperature and salinity. Back on shore, the biologist processes samples under a microscope, enters data into a spreadsheet, and identifies species. After lunch, they analyze population trends for an endangered fish species and write a section of a grant proposal. The day ends with a meeting about an upcoming coral reef monitoring dive.
Key Stats
Education
Master's Degree
Salary Range
Entry: $42,000
Median: $69,000
Senior: $98,000
Job Growth